Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) PBA On Tour

Basketball

PBA: NLEX storms back from disastrous start, silences TNT for 5th win


NLEX overcame a tepid start and added to TNT’s woes, 97-84, for its fifth win in the PBA On Tour, Wednesday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Road Warriors fell victim to a 37-point Tropang Giga explosion in the first 12 minutes, but quickly gathered themselves in the next frame as they eventually seized control of the game en route to their second win in a row.

“Bad start. Ang lambot. Nagpapa-pasok pa at the same time ‘yung three-pointers nila. I just asked my players to just be patient, stick to what we’re doing, and unti-unti naman, nakahabol,” said head coach Frankie Lim.

Tony Semerad finished with 23 points in the victory that saw NLEX launch an 18-0 blitz for a 47-45 lead early in the third quarter, laying down the groundwork for a successful comeback. Semerad fired 16 in the said chapter.

“He’s always in shape,” Lim lauded of his forward. “Masipag si Tony sa practice, workouts. Makikita mo sa gym everyday. It’s paying off. He’s been out for a while because he had some injuries pero gumaganda rotation ko with him around.”

Don Trollano finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. Clint Doliguez also produced 16 while Kevin Alas made 14 points and five of the team’s 11 steals. Sean Anthony added 11 markers and seven boards.

Veteran big man Jake Pascual scored only four points but made a huge contribution on the boards as he collared 18 rebounds.

The Road Warriors (5-5) can finish their preseason run on a high versus Ginebra in the tourney’s final day on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

#ReadMore  PVL: Chery Tiggo averts F2 upset axe in 5, advances to semis

“Back-to-back wins na kami, so maganda going into the Ginebra game on Sunday. Sana we just continue, para masanay kami manalo,” Lim said.

Carl Cruz, on the other hand, paced TNT with a game-high 26 points in the collapse, which led to their ninth loss in 10 outings.

Glenn Khobuntin backed him up with 24 points and 10 rebounds while Jaydee Tungcab added 12 for the Tropang Giga, who, after scoring in bunches in the opening period, got held to eight measly points in the following stanza.

TNT will try to conclude their On Tour campaign with a victory against Troy Rosario and the 6-4 Blackwater also on Sunday.

The Scores:

NLEX 97 – Semerad 23, Doliguez 16, Trollano 16, Alas 13, Anthony 11, Nieto 6, Pascual 4, Guissani 3, Paniamogan 2, Adamos 2.

TNT 84 – Cruz 26, Khobuntin 24, Tungcab 12, Jopia 6, Marcelo 5, Heruela 3, Varilla 3, Reyes 3, Montalbo 2, Cuntapay 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.

Quarterscores: 17-37, 41-45, 74-68, 97-84.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

ANTIPOLO — Kevin Alas is not one who believes in luck. That’s why he had no apprehensions when he came back to play in...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO — TNT’s successful title defense in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup has seemingly given the perennial contenders a false sense of security....

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Robert Bolick took over and powered NLEX to a 104-99 come-from-behind victory for their third consecutive victory in the PBA Season 49...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO — Joshua Munzon came through with the biggest of plays down the stretch to lift NorthPort past TNT, 100-95, to stay perfect in...

Basketball

Poy Erram won’t be around when TNT plays its second game of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday against NorthPort. The veteran...

Basketball

A complete Hong Kong Eastern squad flexed its might by obliterating the debuting TNT, 105-84, in a dominant bounce-back victory in the PBA Season...

Basketball

San Miguel passed its very first test of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup by completing a come-from-behind victory over the upset-seeking Phoenix, 107-104,...

Basketball

Kevin Alas is taking it step by step now that he’s back playing after over a year following a successful recovery from another ACL...

Advertisement