ANTIPOLO — NLEX returned to its winning ways in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup by venting all of its frustrations on a dejected Rain or Shine side through a 105-91 rout at the Ynares Center here on Saturday night.
Stung by the crushing defeat they suffered at the hands of Ginebra the last time out, the Road Warriors turned the game around just before halftime, before breaking away for good en route to notching their fifth win of the conference.
And along the way, they snapped the four-game winning streak of a team that’s without Keith Datu, who’s out for the season due to a knee injury.
Both teams have gone 5-2 following the result, with NLEX sitting behind league leaders TNT (5-1) in the standings and RoS dropping to no. 3.
(C) PBA Images
“I think we played decent defense, but what’s glaring also was we’re able to score against Rain or Shine,” offered head coach Jong Uichico.
“Hindi pwedeng you rely on your defense solely against Rain or Shine. Kapag kalaban sila, our offense has to click also, which we did with Berto leading the charge on offense and on defense,” the champion bench tactician added.
Robert Bolick starred in the dominant victory with a game-high 28 points alongside six rebounds and five assists to headline a balanced attack–and bounce back as well after a four-point showing versus the Kings.
JB Bahio notched yet another double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, plus five assists. Xyrus Torres sank three treys and scored 15 points, while Jonnel Policarpio and Dom Fajardo added 10 points and six rebounds each.
Bahio and Policarpio were responsible for breaking the game wide open, joining hands for a 10-0 to open the third canto toward a 62-47 advantage.
“Kami lahat ito. Grabe trabaho namin, hindi lang ako,” said a proud Bolick, who deservingly earned Player of the Game honors, of their collective effort.
NLEX will look to build another winning run when it takes on Titan Ultra on Sunday, November 16, 5:15 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
(C) PBA Images
Jhonard Clarito, on the other hand, paced Rain or Shine with 26 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, plus one steal in the deflating loss.
Gabe Norwood and Adrian Nocum finished with 12 points apiece while Santi Santillan added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Elasto Painters.
Coach Yeng Guiao & Co. will travel to Cagayan de Oro soon to face the Tropang 5G next Saturday, November 15, at the Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center. Tip-off time is set at 7:30 p.m.
The Scores:
NLEX 105 – Bolick 28, Bahio 17, Torres 15, Fajardo 10, Policarpio 10, Rodger 6, Herndon 6, Mocon 6, Alas 3, Nieto 2, Capulong 2, Ramirez 0.
Rain or Shine 91 – Clarito 26, Norwood 12, Nocum 12, Santillan 10, Asistio 9, Ildefonso 9, Malonzo 7, Mamuyac 6, Lemetti 0, Belga 0, Caracut 0.
Quarterscores: 26-28, 52-47, 83-63, 105-91.
