NLEX rode Robert Bolick and Stokley Chaffee, Jr. to get past Blackwater, 104-97, to finally lay its harrowing four-game losing skid to rest in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Friday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The star guard top-billed for the Road Warriors with 30 points, eight rebounds, and 15 assists with four steals, coming through with a big outing in just his second game with the team that acquired his services via trade with NorthPort.
Chaffee, on the other hand, delivered his own double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds as he spearheaded the crucial 10-2 run towards a 97-89 lead with under four minutes remaining that put them ahead the rest of the way.
“Ganda ng samahan namin eh,” offered Bolick, who logged 39 minutes. “Nagkakaintindihan na kami kung ano yung mga roles namin.”
The win was by no means easy, though. NLEX still had to ward off an ambush when the Bossing got to within just three points, 100-97, behind a strong drive to the cup by rookie Archie Concepcion with 50.5 seconds to go.
But the young forward couldn’t deliver more in the clutch when his attempt to get past Bolick resulted in a turnover. The latter poked the ball away and the Road Warriors eventually milked that possession to push the lead to five.
Bolick would come up with another huge stop afterwards, and then wrapped up the game with a transition bucket to put the finishing touch.
The character victory improved NLEX’s win-loss record to 3-6, keeping as well its quarterfinal aspirations very much alive.
“I told them that it’s very important to win this game. It’s a must-win game,” said head coach Frankie Lim. “If you want to get to the next round, we start today and we have to make sure we beat Converge and Ginebra in our last games.”
Also stepping up for the Road Warriors were rookies Jhan Nermal and Enoch Valdez, who finished with 16 and 11 markers, respectively.
Chris Ortiz, on the other hand, had 27 points and seven assists to lead Blackwater, who fell to 1-8 and is now out of contention.
Christian David made 17 points and seven rebounds, while RK Ilagan and Mike DiGregorio added 16 and 12 points, respectively, in the defeat.
The Scores:
NLEX 104 – Bolick 30, Chaffee 20, Nermal 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Valdez 11, Semerad 5, Anthony 4, Rodger 3, Miranda 3, Herndon 0.
Blackwater 97 – Ortiz 27, David 17, Ilagan 16, DiGregorio 12, Suerte 7, Concepcion 6, Rosario 5, Amer 4, Hill 2, Ular 1, Escoto 0, Kwukuteye 0, Guinto 0.
Quarterscores: 27-26, 52-51, 77-79, 104-97.
