NLEX lived up to the pressure and pulled off an all-important 122-110 win over embattled Rain or Shine to stay in strong contention for a berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
Robert Bolick exploded for 40 points and 10 assists even as import Mike Watkins still came away with 25 points and 14 rebounds despite being in foul trouble as the Road Warriors notched a second straight win and kept in step with reigning champion San Miguel at the No. 8 spot with similar 5-6 standings.
SCENARIOS: Four-way tie for seventh will be fatal for SMB
The loss was a damaging one for the Elasto Painters, who fell to a 6-5 record after dropping back-to-back games to remain at seventh spot, but just within reach of both the Road Warriors and the Beermen.
The other game Saturday in Antipolo featured Northport with an easy win against an import-less Blackwater, 120-93.
The Batang Pier finished the eliminations with a 9-3 record and remain on top of the standings, though they still have to wait how the remaining three playdates pan out to determine if they get to enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
Playing without high-scoring import George King for the second straight game, the Bossing bowed out with a 3-9 slate.
Here are the takeaways after the doubleheader at the Ynares Center Saturday night.
1. RAIN OR SHINE CAMPAIGN FALLING APART – after starting the year on top with a five-game winning streak, the Elasto Painters suddenly found themselves on a freefall by losing four of their last five games. The slip shoved them down the standings to No. 7 and in danger of being dragged into a playoff for the eighth and last quarterfinals berth by the end of the eliminations. Winning over TNT in its final game would remove complications and give the team an outright ticket to the next round.
2. NORTHPORT EQUALS MOST WIN IN ELIMS IN FRANCHISE HISTORY – the Batang Pier’s 9-3 slate tied the most number of wins by the team in the eliminations when it finished at 9-2 during the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup. Back then, Northport finished as the No. 2 seed with twice-to-beat edge in the playoffs and Prince Ibeh as import. Unfortunately, the Batang Pier failed to make do of their advantage and lost twice in a row to No. 7 San Miguel in the quarterfinals. Will history repeat itself? It’s up for Arvin Tolentino and Co. to take on the challenge.
3. ARVIN TOLENTINO HAVING A BALL THIS SEASON – the Northport forward registered 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in the win over Blackwater, recording his second triple double in the mid-season conference and third overall in Season 49. He became the first local player to have three triple doubles in a season since Scottie Thompson in 2017-18 and also the first after Thompson to secure a TD this conference. Will a first-ever Best Player of the Conference award follows suit?
4. IT’S MAGNOLIA’S TURN TO BE IN THE PRESSURE COOKER – the Road Warriors passed their initial test with that inspiring win over the Elasto Painters, leaving the Hotshots facing a must-win against guest team Eastern on Sunday if they hope to keep both San Miguel and NLEX company at the No. 8 spot. A loss won't eliminate Magnolia outright, but needs to take care of business against Meralco and hope San Miguel loses to TNT and NLEX to Eastern for a three-way tie for the last quarterfinals berth.
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