NLEX stunned Ginebra in overtime, 120-117, to stay afloat in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Friday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Earl Clark and Brandon Rosser provided the big buckets in extra period before Lady Luck did her thing, with Justin Brownlee missing the potential game-tying trey at the buzzer as the Road Warriors escaped with the important win.
Losers of five straight prior, the MVP Group-owned ball club improved their record to 4-7 while giving a major blow to the perennial contenders’ twice-to-beat aspirations — the latter dropped to fourth place in the standings at 7-3.
“The game was extra special for the players, because naturally, they’re playing a big team like Ginebra—a very strong team. The challenge will always be there,” said head coach Frankie Lim after his second win at the helm.
Ex-NBA cager Clark top-scored for NLEX with 37 points, alongside 17 rebounds and seven assists — none bigger than the kick-out to Rosser to the left corner for the go-ahead three-pointer, 117-116, with 1:35 left to play.
But it was Don Trollano who starred in the victory with a career-high tying 26 markers, scoring 20 in the third quarter alone to give his side the 90-83 advantage heading into the fourth chapter that set up the tight finish.
“Going into this game, we’re motivated kasi we’re coming from a terrible loss against Terrafirma. ‘Di kami pwedeng matalo tonight,” said the veteran forward, who battled through cramps to help his team to the important win.
Kevin Alas returned from an ankle injury and tallied 18 points and nine assists. Sophomore Matt Nieto added 10 markers in the triumph.
NLEX will try to wield the upset ax once more against another contender in Meralco on Wednesday, November 30, 3 p.m. at the same venue.
Ginebra’s defeat, meanwhile, wasted the 39-point effort of Brownlee, who also missed a jumper late in regulation that could’ve won the game. He also finished with 11 rebounds and five assists against six turnovers.
Scottie Thompson backed him up with 17 points, including the tough lay-up with 2:01 left that gave the Barangay the 117-116 lead before Rosser’s triple on the other end. The reigning MVP had 12 boards and five dimes to his name.
Japeth Aguilar had 13 points, Jamie Malonzo made 12, while Jeremiah Gray and Stanley Pringle chimed in 11 markers each for Ginebra, who now needs to beat both NorthPort and Converge to stay in the hunt for a Top Two finish.
The Scores:
NLEX 120 – Clark 37, Trollano 26, Alas 18, Nieto 10, Chua 9, Rosales 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Varilla 1, Miranda 0.
Ginebra 117 – Brownlee 39, Thompson 17, J.Aguilar 13, Malonzo 12, Gray 11, Pringle 11, Standhardinger 9, Tenorio 5, Mariano 0.
Quarterscores: 25-22, 54-58, 90-83, 113-113, 120-117 (OT).
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
