JB Bahio trickled in the game-winner with three-tenths of a second left to tow NLEX past Rain or Shine, 92-90, to snatch the provisional lead in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Wednesday.
The versatile forward showed no hesitation upon receiving Robert Bolick’s pass, pulling up for the baseline jumper with the clock winding for the marginal bucket that eventually enabled the Road Warriors to pull off the great escape.
He finished with nine points, seven rebounds, an assist, and three steals as his heroics led to their eighth win in 10 games, creating as well a serious push of at least assuring themselves a Top Four finish entering the quarterfinals.
Coach Jong Uichico and his men have already sealed a spot in the final eight following their 95-85 win against Terrafirma last Saturday, and now, their sights are locked in on clinching a twice-to-beat incentive for the next round.
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“We’re getting better, I think, at making the right plays in the end, and making the right stops in the end. I’m very happy that they fought hard,” he said.
“Mabigat talaga yung Rain or Shine, alam natin ‘yung capabilities nila. Mabuti nakalusot sa panalo ngayon,” the champion bench tactician added.
Bolick fueled the spirited comeback with 30 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists as the star guard once again showed how willing he is to defer to his teammates in the endgame, like what he did to help beat Meralco, 104-101, last April 19.
“Tira niya talaga ‘yun. Credit sa hard work niya,” he said, referring to Bahio, the recipient of his game-winning dime this time in a sequence that reminded many of the play that led to L-Jay Gonzales’ three at the buzzer versus the Bolts.
Bolick scored 18 of his points in the third quarter alone to help NLEX get back into the game from a 45-31 deficit in the period prior, although it was really his big plays down the stretch that contributed to the major turnaround.
He even gave the Road Warriors the 90-87 lead with 1:19 remaining following a huge four-pointer against Gian Mamuyac with the shot clock winding down.
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That then set up the tight affair, with Luis Villegas tying things up with a three-pointer with 45.5 seconds left. Momentum even appeared to have veered away from them when they lost the ball, which soon led to free throws for Jhonard Clarito.
But Clarito, who was fouled midair by Tony Semerad and crashed hard into the backstop, seemed to have been affected by the hit and missed his charities.
Soon, Rain or Shine would be left a dejected bunch with Bahio hitting the jumper, and with the time remaining too insufficient to save itself.
“Sobrang saya, sobrang sarap ng feeling. Nagbunga din yung tinrabaho ko araw-araw sa practice, yung extra shots, extra skill work,” Bahio said.
Cady Lalanne backed up Bolick with 21 points and 14 rebounds for NLEX, which will try to sweep Converge (May 2) and the also-ran Titan Ultra (May 5).
Jaylen Johnson, meanwhile, led the Elasto Painters with 17 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists in the defeat that dropped their card to 8-2.
Adrian Nocum had 15 points while Clarito and Andrei Caracut added 11 points apiece for a team that lost for the second time in its last three outings.
Similar to NLEX, RoS will wrap up its eliminations versus the Giant Risers but will have to face Ginebra first this Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
NLEX 92 – Bolick 30, Lalanne 21, Bahio 9, Winston 7, Racal 6, Semerad 6, Gonzales 5, Ramirez 3, Herndon 3, Torres 2, Rodger 0, Nieto 0, Gamboa 0, Fajardo 0
Rain or Shine 90 – Johnson 17, Nocum 15, Clarito 11, Caracut 11, Santillan 9, Mamuyac 8, Malonzo 8, Manaytay 4, Villegas 3, Asistio 2, Cuajao 2, Belga 0, David 0
Quarterscores: 18-23, 37-49, 75-78, 92-90.
