NLEX star Robert Bolick in action. PBA Images
MANILA — Robert Bolick hit a dagger four-pointer as NLEX turned back Terrafirma, 95-85, in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The win gave the Road Warriors a quarterfinals berth at 7-2.
With Terrafirma knocking on NLEX's doorsteps after Maverick Ahanmisi trimmed down the lead to four, 89-85, Cady Lalanne first expanded the lead to six, then Bolick bailed the Road Warriors out as the shot clock almost expired, hitting his shot from the second arc with 53.8 seconds left.
The Road Warriors actually led by as much as 18 early in the fourth frame, 82-64, as they looked on pace to a comeback win after tearing down a 15-point Terrafirma lead early.
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The Dyip made a furious comeback of their own, led by the Ahanmisi brothers, with the help of import Mubashar Ali and top rookie Geo Chiu, but ultimately fell short.
Bolick led five NLEX players in double-digit scoring with 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Ljay Gonzales and JB Bahio finished with 16 markers each.
Lalanne did his job on the rebounding department, garnering 12 rebounds to go with 15 points, while Anthony Semerad made his presence felt with 14 points and five steals.
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On the other hand, Maverick had 22 points to pace the slumping Terrafirma side, which fell to 3-6. His brother, Jerrick, had 13 points and five rebounds, while Ali was held to 11 points but had 10 rebounds.
Notably, big men Chiu and JM Bravo had 15 and 12 boards, respectively, to help the Dyip keep possession, while contributing nine markers each.
The Scores:
NLEX 95 – Bolick 20, Bahio 16, Gonzales 16, Lalanne 15, Semerad 14, Winston 4, Ramirez 4, Racal 3, Rodger 3, Torres 0, Herndon 0
TERRAFIRMA 85 – M. Ahanmisi 22, J.Ahanmisi 13, Ali 11, Zaldivar 10, Chiu 9, Bravo 9, Paraiso 6, Umali 3, Garcia 2, Hernandez 0, Eriobu 0, Hanapi 0
QUARTERS: 18-23, 36-47, 70-56, 95-85