NLEX and Blackwater opened their campaigns with victories in the Kadayawan 2025 Invitational Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the USEP Gym in Obrero, Davao City.
The Road Warriors fended off a late rally from the Converge FiberXers for a 95-88 win, while the Bossing cruised past Phoenix, 94-81.
NLEX built a commanding 71-52 lead with 2:59 left in the third quarter before Converge mounted a comeback.
Behind Alec Stockton, Justine Baltazar, and Bryan Santos, the FiberXers stormed back to tie the game at 88-all with less than two minutes remaining.
But Richie Rodger came through in the clutch, drilling a go-ahead triple with 1:31 left to put the Road Warriors back in front.
Costly miscues by Converge down the stretch led to free throws from Javee Mocon and a wide-open basket by Brandon Ramirez to ice the game.
Robert Bolick spearheaded NLEX with 22 points, three assists, and two steals, according to the stats provided by Madayaw Sports Davao.
Ramirez added 14 points and five rebounds, while newly re-signed Robbie Herndon chipped in 12 markers.
NLEX will next face Blackwater on Friday.
Meanwhile, Sedrick Barefield powered the Bossing with 28 points, spoiling Willy Wilson’s head coaching debut with Phoenix.
Troy Mallillin scored 17 points, while Jed Mendoza — currently vying for a roster spot — added 16.
For Converge, Stockton, Baltazar, Santos, and King Caralipio each finished with 11 points.
Deschon Winston, though present in Davao, did not suit up, while Jvee Casio made his FiberXers debut.
Phoenix was led by Jason Perkins and Kai Ballungay with 12 points apiece, while Ricci Rivero contributed 10.
Davaoenos Rey Suerte of Converge and Francis Escandor of Phoenix tallied seven and five points, respectively.
The Scores:
First Game:
Blackwater 94 – Barefield 28, Mallillin 17, Mendoza 16, Tratter 8, Ilagan 8, Andrade 6, Bayla 4, Comboy 2, Murrell 2, Zamar 1, Jopia 1, Guinto 0.
Phoenix 81 – Perkins 12, Ballungay 12, Rivero R. 10, Tio 9, Salado 7, Jazul 6, Escandor 5, Tuffin 4, Verano 4, Manganti 4, Garcia 4, Alejandro 2, Ular 2, Rivero P. 0.
Quarterscores: 16-16, 40-32, 68-61, 94-81.
Second Game:
NLEX 95 – Bolick 22, Ramirez 14, Herndon 12, Semerad 8, Policarpio 7, Fajardo 7, Mocon 6, Rodger 4, Valdez 4, Torres 3, Amer 3, Marcelo 0.
Converge 88 – Stockton 11, Baltazar 11, Santos B. 11, Caralipio 11, Arana 9, Racal 8, Suerte 7, Delos Santos 7, Javillonar 7, Garcia 5, Santos R. 1, Casio 0,
Quarterscores: 23-26, 51-45, 77-63, 95-88.
