Sean Anthony was grit personified as NLEX beat NorthPort, 95-87, in the PBA On Tour Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Espana, Manila.
Forced to play the five position as the other younger big men suffered cramps, the veteran forward gamely stepped up as he helped out in the Road Warriors’ fourth-quarter assault that finally put the hard-fighting Batang Pier away.
The 36-year-old finished with a game-high 25 points, including 10 in the deciding chapter. He also collected eight rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a block for a full line to lead the way toward their second win in a row.
“In our games. we have different players na pumuputok,” offered head coach Frankie Lim. “With that, we should be more consistent.”
Clint Doliguez provided 14 points and five rebounds for NLEX, who collected its third win overall in seven outings in the preseason tourney.
Kris Rosales made 13 points. Don Trollano produced 12 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists without a turnover. Kevin Alas and Ben Adamos added 11 and 10 markers, respectively, with the latter adding nine boards to his line.
Rosales, Trollano, and Anthony were part of the crew that helped NLEX start the fourth with a 15-5 run for an 82-71 lead with 6:58 left to take control of the game.
The Road Warriors (3-4) will try to keep their winning ways against Meralco next Wednesday, July 12, at 5 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Paul Zamar, meanwhile, finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, and six assists to lead NorthPort, who absorbed its second straight loss.
JM Calma supplied 17 points and seven rebounds, while MJ Ayaay chipped in 13 markers in the defeat that brought their card to 3-4 as well.
The Batang Pier will look to arrest their skid against another struggling team in Terrafirma (3-5) on Sunday, July 9, at 5 p.m. also at Ynares Pasig.
The Scores:
NLEX 95 – Anthony 25, Doliguez 14, Rosales 13, Trollano 12, Alas 11, Adamos 10, Pascual 6, Guissani 2, Nieto 2, Paniamogan 0.
NorthPort 87 – Zamar 22, Calma 17, Ayaay 13, Tolentino 9, Santos 7, Munzon 6, Yu 6, Salado 3, Balagasay 2, Gabriel 2, Comboy 0, Bauzon 0.
Quarterscores: 23-24, 52-44, 67-66, 95-87.
