DESPITE being forced into a knockout game in the quarterfinals, NLEX coach Jong Uichico found satisfaction to the fact that it came down the wire, hoping that Wednesday's loss would fuel them in the next outing.
The Road Warriors failed to advance to the semifinals, at least after Wednesday's game, when they were defeated by eighth-seed TNT, 96-93. The result arranged a winner-take-all contest at the Ynares Center-Antipolo for a place in the semifinals.
READ: TNT, Bol Bol stay alive after forcing KO match vs. top-seed NLEX
Uichico rued the 17 fouls NLEX committed in the first half that led to Cady Lalanne and Robert Bolick being in foul trouble.
Bolick eventually fouled out with still four minutes to play in the game and the result still hanging in the balance.
Uichico admitted the maturity of TNT showed in the contest.
“First half pa lang, we gave up too many fouls. Hindi nakalaro si Cady masyado. But still, we were in the game naman. It came down to the end naman. Siyempre lumalabas yung maturity and playoff experience (ng TNT). Ganun talaga ang playoffs,” said Uichico.
“Mistake, review, adjust, and then we hope for the best the next game,” he added.
Uichico said it would have helped NLEX's cause if Bolick played in the final minutes but he's not crying over spilled milk at this point.
“But it happens. It can happen to them. It can happen to us. Yes you wish, but na-foul out siya. But still, we were able to find a way to stay in the game. Yun ang importante doon,” said Uichico.
Even with the absence of Bolick, NLEX was able to overcome a 93-84 deficit with 2:49 left in the game to tie it at 93 on split free throws by Lalanne. Bol made one of two free throws on the next play with 1:08 left in the contest.
The Road Warriors still had a chance to grab the lead even but Schonny Winston missed a jump shot over RR Pogoy from the left corner.
“It did not pan out the way we wanted it to pan out but still, we had a good shot to win that game,” said Uichico on Winston's jump shot.
Uichico is hopeful that NLEX's experience of losing on Wednesday would eventually enable the Road Warriors to overcome the Tropang 5G in the end.
“I hope so na mangyayari yung ganun. Do-or-die naman sa Saturday,” he added.
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