NLEX Road Warriors rookie Jonnel Policarpio. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — The NLEX Road Warriors successfully returned to the win column to keep alive its hopes of entering the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
Jonnel Policarpio and Robert Bolick did wonders for their team in their 108-94 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Sunday evening at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Following their loss against the TNT Tropang GIGA last Wednesday, the Road Warriors found their way back on the right track all thanks to Policarpio’s 17 points, nine rebounds, and a steal, and Bolick’s personal bounce-back performance of 26 markers with nine dimes and a steal.
This was their fourth victory in 10 outings so far, keeping them within reach of a playoff spot in the quarterfinals, and this, according to head coach Jong Uichico, is to be credited to how their locals stepped up despite the coming in undermanned.
“Everybody had their mindset to contribute in today’s game. Alam nila gaano ka-importante yung laro ngayon. Everybody had the mindset and the will na maka-contribute maski papaano sa larong ito,” said the PBA champion coach, while also hailing Tony Semerad and Rob Herndon who finished with 15 and 11, respectively.
“Hindi naman namin kontrolado yung result, pero yung tsansa manalo today, binigyan nila yung sarili nila ng tsansa,” pointed out Uichico, whose team led after the first, 25-17, and never looked back afterward.
“Then malaking bagay [sila]. Tony was great, he was able to come back and was a big help to us. Kay Herndon naman, nabigyan ko ng minuto. Kaya nanalo, maganda yung contribution ng lahat,” he added.
Uichico also raved about Policarpio who came in prepared as their import Michael Watkins was riddled with fouls with four despite his still adjusting to the level of competition in the PBA.
“He needs time kasi rookie siya, tapos pa lipat-lipat yung posisyon niya. Nung first conference kwatro siya, ngayon tres siya,” he said. “Ngayon nasasanay na siya sa dalawang posisyon. He’s a learning person, at makaka-adapt naman siya as the conference goes on.
For the former De La Salle University Green Archer, on the other hand, it was just about repaying the trust and patience that NLEX’s staff has given him.
”Binigay ko lang yung best ko sa opportunities na binigay sa akin ni coach. Hindi ko lang sinayang. Talagang sinunod ko lang yung game plan namin nila coach kanina,” said the UAAP champion.
The Road Warriors still have the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters and Hong Kong Eastern on their list of assignments, and for Uichico, it is now up to them to make the most of the remaining chances that they have to make the quarters.
“Alam namin na long shot, pero at least may shot. That’s all we can rely on now, na may shot pa rin kami,” he said. “We will take every shot na we can get para makapasok sa next round. Meron pa ring opportunity, maski gaano kalayo, basta meron pa rin, yun pa rin ang mindset namin.”
On the other hand, it was a tough loss for the Fuel Masters, who were led by Donovan Smith’s 36-point, 14-rebound game, as they fell to the 10th spot with a 3-7 record.
The Scores:
NLEX 108 – Bolick 26, Watkins 22, Policarpio 17, Herndon 15, Semerad 11, Torres 9, Ramirez 5, Nieto 3, Mocon 0.
Phoenix 94 – Smith 36, Rivero 13, Muyang 8, Perkins 8, Tio 7, Tuffin 6, Jazul 5, Alejandro 3, Ballungay 2, Manganti 1, Salado 0, Ular 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0.
Quarterscores: 25-17, 45-48, 86-73, 108-94.