ANTIPOLO – NLEX got lucky enough to escape San Miguel, 85-84, and complete its upset of the reigning conference champions to start off its PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, Wednesday night at the Ynares Center here.
JB Bahio missed both of his free throws with 9.8 seconds left that could have given the Road Warriors a three-point lead. However, the Beermen fumbled the chance to steal the game after Don Trollano lost control of the ball as time expired.
Trollano elected to pass the ball to Jericho Cruz, who was near the rim for the potential game-winner. But the ball sailed out of the bounds, with Bahio preventing him from getting a proper look — recovering from his crucial misses.
With the breaks of the game going their way, Coach Jong Uichico & Co. would go on to complete the rally from 13 down, which they did with a big 34-point third-quarter assault before taking the lead for good late in the game.
And the crew accomplished as much without star guard Robert Bolick, who is grieving the loss of his father and will only return next week.
(C) PBA Images
“Close siya sa father niya, so we should give him as much time as we can,” said Uichico. “Para when he comes back, medyo tama na ‘yung mindset niya.”
Jonnel Policarpio and Brandon Ramirez led NLEX with 16 points apiece, with the former producing 12 of his points in the second half to help lead the rally.
Kevin Alas delivered 13 points and five rebounds off the bench, while Bahio finished with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The quartet led the balanced attack, which the crew leaned on to buck Bolick’s absence.
“We dedicate the game to Berto. Medyo may motivation factor in today’s game,” said Uichico, who steered the Road Warriors to their first win against San Miguel in five years or since the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble in Clark.
(C) PBA Images
June Mar Fajardo, on the other hand, led the Beermen with 18 points and 15 rebounds in the loss, where they failed to protect a 56-43 lead.
Trollano finished with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field, including the big four-pointer he knocked down as a response to Bahio’s perfect trip to the foul line that pulled them to within just a point with 11.1 seconds left.
His heroics, however, would go in vain when he made that bad decision, leading to a rough start to their title defense bid in the all-Filipino wars.
Both teams will return to action on Sunday, October 12, still in Antipolo. NLEX will open the twinbill with a meeting against Terrafirma at 5:15 PM, before San Miguel hits the floor to face Phoenix at 7:30 PM.
The Scores:
NLEX 85 – Policarpio 16, Ramirez 16, Alas 13, Bahio 12, Rodger 9, Valdez 6, Amer 5, Semerad 4, Nieto 2, Torres 2, Fajardo 0, Herndon 0.
San Miguel 84 – Fajardo 18, Trollano 17, Cruz 12, Lassiter 8, Tiongson 7, Brondial 7, Tautuaa 6, Cahilig 5, Teng 2, Perez 2, Ross 0, Miller 0.
Quarterscores: 22-25, 32-42, 66-67, 85-84.
