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NLEX's Robert Bolick in action. PBA Images
MANILA — Robert Bolick and NLEX tore down a 16-point mountain to escape Blackwater, 84-81, in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
It was a valiant effort from Bolick and company, having been down early at 33-17, and eventually pull off an escape in the fourth frame.
With NLEX leading only by two after a Sedrick Barefield basket, 81-79, Bolick drained a shot from the arc that expanded their lead to five, 37 seconds left on the clock, making up for a sorry miss on his layup attempt prior.
Possession returned to NLEX — which allowed Bolick hit the trey — after Daniel Ochefu could not secure the rebound, turning the ball over.
Ochefu made up for that fault by powering his way through that put Blackwater within three, 84-81.
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As NLEX could not make a shot on time, suffering a shotclock violation with around eight seconds left, Blackwater's Christian David could not capitalize on that and missed a three that could have sent the game to overtime.
"I think it was our experience in the end na lang — in fact, they were leading almost the whole first half," NLEX head coach Jong Uichico noted during the postgame press conference.
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Bolick and Cady Lalanne combined for 46 big points, with the big man leading the rebounding department by grabbing 16, as the star guard dished out seven assists.
Schonny Winston, in his first game as a Road Warrior, chipped in 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
On the other hand, Barefield finished with 18 points, while Ochefu registered a huge double-double statline of 16-16 to pace the loss.
The Scores:
NLEX 84: Bolick 24, Lalanne 22, Winston 10, Alas 7, Bahio 6, Torres 6, Semerad 3, Gonzales 3, Fajardo 2, Herndon 1, Onwubere 0, Racal 0, Ramirez 0
BLACKWATER 81: Barefield 18, Ochefu 16, David 12, Panopio 7, Tratter 7, Mallilin 6, Murrell 6, Andrade 5, Una 2, Ilagan 2, Mendoza 0, Jopia 0
QUARTERS: 15-25, 34-41, 60-61, 84-81