NLEX Road Warriors star Robert Bolick against TerraFirma Dyip’s Mark Nonoy. PBA Images.MANILA — The NLEX Road Warriors zoomed past the TerraFirma Dyip to post their second victory in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
The Jong Uichico-mentored team tallied a wire-to-wire 104-85 win on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, with NLEX entering high gears right from the first quarter.
Robert Bolick exploded for 32 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Michael Griffin-Watkins followed with a 26-point, 30-rebound game.
“Masaya ako na ang daming contribution ng locals, pero yung import talaga namin nag-dominate sa ilalim kaya kami na libre,” said Bolick after the game. “Masaya rin ako sa output ko ngayon kasi kaunti lang yung tira ko, efficient. Ganun talaga yung gusto kong mangyari sa laro ko this conference, pick your spots lang.”
Aside from the duo, also contributing for NLEX were Xyrus Torres (15 points, four rebounds, one steal), and Tony Semerad (13 points, seven rebounds, one steal).
Only holding a 10-9 lead halfway through the opener, the Road Warriors shocked TerraFirma with a 17-to-2 run, and this not only allowed them to end the first with a 21-11 lead but also distance themselves by as huge as 25, 67-42, early in the third.
The Dyip, however, slowly crawled back in between the late third and early fourth frame all thanks to Vic Manuel’s 18-point explosion to start the second half, and this helped them to crawl back to as close as seven, 88-81, after a triple by Kevin Ferrer with still 4:49 left.
Unfortunately for TerraFirma, Semerad quickly answered with a triple in their next possession, while Bolick and Griffin-Watkins went on to deliver the finishing touches and re-extend their advantage to double digits as the game concluded.
Despite improving to 2-1, Uichico kept his troops in check especially since they not only allowed the Dyip to get within seven, but also put up 55 in the last 24 minutes of play.
”We weathered the storm, but why did they have to put themselves in that position,” commented Coach Jong. “They can’t put themselves in that position.
On the other hand, TerraFirma, which fell to 0-3, leaned on Manuel’s 22 points, five rebounds, and an assist, while standing out for them were Aljun Melecio and Ferrer who each had 10 markers.
Their reinforcement Ryan Edwards, meanwhile, was limited to six points and seven rebounds after only appearing for 17:28 minutes.
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.
Quarterscores: 27-11, 51-30, 75-62, 104-85.
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