ANTIPOLO – Robert Bolick starred as NLEX laid its five-game losing skid to rest following a 108-94 victory over Phoenix to stay in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup playoff race, Sunday night at the Ynares Center here.
The star guard finished with 26 points, five rebounds, and nine assists as he once again flexed his endgame wits to help the Road Warriors repel a rally that saw the Fuel Masters threaten after being down by 17 early in the fourth quarter.
‘Berto’ nailed a tough jumper to widen the lead to eight with 4:57 remaining, before nailing a three-pointer and then a failaway J from within the free throw area for a 105-92 advantage approaching the game’s final two minutes.
And eventually, NLEX would barge back into the win column, improving as well to 4-6 to tie Magnolia at ninth as they lurk behind current no. 8 San Miguel.
“Alam naman namin na long shot pero at least may shot,” said head coach Jong Uichico. “That’s all we can rely on now, na may shot pa rin kami. We will take every chance that we can get para makapasok sa next round.”
Mike Watkins almost had another 20-20 outing with 22 points and 18 rebounds as he engaged in a tight battle with Donovan Smith and had the last laugh.
Rookie Jonnel Policarpio tallied a conference-high 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting alongside nine rebounds, together with an assist and a steal.
He scored eight of his points in the third canto, joining hands with Watkins (11) and Bolick (7) to lead a 41-point eruption to take control of the match.
(C) PBA Images
“Binigay ko lang ‘yung best ko,” said the sixth overall pick of the recent draft. “‘Yung binigay na opportunity ni Coach Jong sa akin, hindi ko sinayang. Lahat ng assistant coach, binigyan ako ng opportunity para makapaglaro.”
Robbie Herndon had 15 points while Tony Semerad added 11 markers in the win that saw the Uichico’s charges drain a total of 12 triples.
Now, NLEX will need to sweep its remaining games to boost its playoff bid. It will take on Rain or Shine first on January 25 in the same venue before battling Hong Kong Eastern on the 29th at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Smith, on the other hand, had 36 points and 14 rebounds to lead Phoenix, which dropped to 3-7 after losing for the second time in a row — indeed a dampener for a team that won back-to-back before slumping anew.
Ricci Rivero was the only other Fuel Master in double figures with 13 points as six other players chipped in at least five points in the defeat.
With only two games left in its elimination round campaign, Phoenix has no other choice but to beat Blackwater and TNT if it is to stay alive.
The Scores:
NLEX 108 – Bolick 26, Watkins 22, Policarpio 17, Herndon 15, Semerad 11, Torres 9, Ramirez 5, Nieto 3, Mocon 0.
Phoenix 94 – Smith 36, Rivero 13, Perkins 8, Muyang 8, Tio 7, Tuffin 6, Garcia 5, Jazul 5, Alejandro 3, Ballungay 2, Manganti 1, Salado 0, Camacho 0, Ular 0, Daves 0, Verano 0.
Quarterscores: 25-17, 45-48, 86-73, 108-94.
