Three of its key cogs took the spotlight this time around and gave NLEX a huge lift in dismantling Phoenix, 120-102, to snatch solo second in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup standings, Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Deschon Winston sparked the strong start, Tony Semerad kept them in control, and Kevin Alas went on to provide the much-needed stability in the fourth as Robert Bolick showed how much of a willing passer he is for the Road Warriors.
In fact, the star guard netted a double-double in points and assists with 22 and 14 in another flex of his playmaking ability, although he did contribute in the strong windup by knocking down three-pointers that sent their foes reeling.
Big thanks to a collective effort, the crew netted its second win in a row and is now sitting behind current leaders Rain or Shine (4-0) with a 4-1 record.
(C) PBA Images
“Mas mahirap kami depensahan ‘pag ganun eh,” offered Bolick. “Napakadali mag-basketball kapag ‘yung teammates mo ay magagaling din.”
Cady Lalanne top-scored for NLEX with 29 points and 10 rebounds, leading the balanced attack while getting the best of counterpart James Dickey III, who struggled offensively with 13 points on 14 shots but had 14 rebounds.
Winston finished with 16 points, 11 of which he made in the opening period alone to power his side to a 33-17 lead, which set the tone for the rest of the way.
Winston shot 6-of-9 from the floor and also collected three rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block to submit a full line in 27 minutes.
Alas fired 18 points, including 16 in the final period alone as he sparked the solid finish–highlighted by a rare five-point play off an Ef Escandor foul that pushed their lead to 94-79 with about eight minutes remaining.
Semerad made 15 points, which he made entirely from three-point distance as he went 5-for-11, knocking down the majority of them during the middle quarters to keep the opposition at bay. The bruising vet also had nine rebounds.
“We have six players in double figures. If that happens in a game, then you’ve got a great chance of winning,” said head coach Jong Uichico, whose men also sank a total of 15 triples and a pair of makes from the four-point area.
The Road Warriors will look to make it three in a row when they face the hard-luck Macau on April 14, Tuesday, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
(C) PBA Images
Ricci Rivero, on the other hand, had 20 points and five rebounds to lead Phoenix, which fell to 3-2 following the defeat. Lead forward Jason Perkins backed up the star guard with 18 points and seven rebounds.
Kenneth Tuffin added 14 points for the Fuel Masters, who got to within 10 with less than six minutes to go but got denied quickly as Bolick & Co. responded and doubled the lead at 114-94, all but sealing the victory.
Coach Charles Tiu and his charges will look to bounce back quickly against Barangay Ginebra next Sunday, April 12, at the Big Dome as well.
The Scores:
NLEX 120 – Lalanne 29, Bolick 22, Alas 18, Winston 16, Semerad 15, Rodger 6, Bahio 6, Ramirez 3, Torres 3, Herndon 2, Gonzales 0, Racal 0.
Phoenix 102 – Rivero 20, Perkins 18, Tuffin 14, Dickey III 13, Tio 9, Escandor 9, Santos 5, Nelle 5, Caperal 3, Daves 2, Delos Santos 2, Cullar 2.
Quarterscores: 33-17, 52-42, 79-72, 120-102.
