ROBERT Bolick scored 32 points while Mike Watkins had 26 points and 30 rebounds as NLEX overcame Terrafirma, 104-85, on Tuesday in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Bolick and Watkins pounced on Terrafirma’s decision not to play injury-hit import Ryan Richards in the second half as the Road Warriors put away their second straight win after an opening loss while dealing the Dyip a third straight defeat.
NLEX coach Jong Uichico, however, wasn’t happy that Terrafirma hung around in the game after building a 25-point in the third quarter, 67-42, with the Dyip even getting closer at 88-81 during the fourth.
READ: Converge gov assures Stockton won't be traded; no interest in Mikey
“Why do they have to weather the storm? They controlled the game, why do they have to put themselves in that situation,” said Uichico.
“We gave up 55 points in the second half so they put themselves in that position. Yes, they weathered the storm but there shouldn’t been a storm."
The game also saw the return of Kevin Alas from his third ACL injury. He played 10 minutes and 30 seconds and had two points and one assist, while shooting 1-for-3 from the field.
Xyrus Torres had 15 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the field, while Tony Semerad added 13 points and seven rebounds.
Vic Manuel had 22 points and five rebounds to take the lead in the absence of Richards, who once again had a lackluster performance where he had six points on 2-for-10 shooting from the field, and seven rebounds.
The scores:
NLEX 104 – Bolick 32, Watkins 26, Torres 15, Semerad 13, Rodger 7, Herndon 3, Bahio 2, Fajardo 2, Valdez 2, Alas 2, Mocon 0, Amer 0, Marcelo 0.
Terrafirma 85 – Manuel 22, Melecio 10, Ferrer 10, Pringle 9, Zaldivar 7, Nonoy 6, Richards 6, Sangalang 5, Olivario 3, Catapusan 3, Hernandez 2, Paraiso 2, Ramos 0, Hanapi 0.
Quarters: 27-11; 51-30; 75-62; 104-85.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
