NLEX's LJay Gonzales in action. PBA Images
MANILA — LJay Gonzales fired the buzzer-beater to shock NLEX in overtime, 104-101, in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center Montalban.
Robert Bolick, seeing the extended hands of Marvin Jones with 3.3 seconds left, did not force the issue as he saw the open Gonzales.
And with exactly 2.0 seconds left, Gonzales, receiving the ball from Bolick, he made the shot—hitting the bottom of the net as the buzzer sounded.
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The Road Warriors completed a remarkable comeback from 17 points down, eventually tying the match at 89-all by the end of regulation, thanks to their main man, Bolick.
NLEX import Cady Lalanne first scored a basket that put his team within six, 89-83. They secured the defensive stop, turning into a Anthony Semerad trey which came from a familiar pass—dished out by Bolick.
The former San Beda Lion nailed the game-tying trey that knotted the game at 89-apiece, forcing a five-minute extension that eventually went their way after a seesaw battle.
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Lalanne finished with 34 points to lead all scorers while grabbing 25 rebounds and collecting three blocks. Bolick, who made the crucial plays in the end, delivered 11 points and tallied eight assists, while Gonzales had 15 markers.
Schonny Winston made his presence felt, leading the locals with 21 markers and five boards.
Meanwhile, the Bolts could not sustain their lead, suffering a collapse when it mattered the most. Jones paced the losing side with 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Chris Newsome had 19 points and six assists in the defeat.
The Scores (OT):
NLEX 104 – Lalanne 34, Winston 21, Gonzales 15, Bolick 11, Bahio 9, Rodger 7, Semerad 5, Alas 2, racal 0, Herndon 0, Fajardo 0
MERALCO 101 – Jones 25, Newsome 19, Mocon 17, Cansino 14, Brickman 13, Quinto 7, Banchero 6, Hodge 0, Black 0, Almazan 0, Pascual 0, Rios 0
QUARTERS: 14-19, 35-45, 64-76, 89-89, 104-101