Kevin Alas played his finest showing in a long while to tow NLEX past the gritty Phoenix, 87-81, for their second win in three games in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The 33-year-old fired 26 points, including seven of the Road Warriors’ last 11 points. And he provided the needed stability in the endgame amid a furious Fuel Masters fightback after they trailed by as many as 20 points.
Twice did their foes come within two late in the game, and the seasoned floor general provided apt responses on both occasions. None was bigger than the one-foot fadeaway he nailed to make it an 85-81 lead with 39.1 seconds left.
Tyler Tio turned the ball over on the other end moments later, then the returning Robert Bolick had a perfect trip to the free throw line with less than 14 ticks left. That was enough for NLEX to come away with the victory.
(C) PBA Images
The result also preserved the efforts of Alas, who shot 42.9-percent from the floor, including a pair of four-pointers. He also collected five rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals in the 25 minutes he saw action.
His 26 is actually his fourth career-best and his highest output as well over the last three seasons, per league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
“Nag-step up ang defense ng Phoenix. They pressured us, and we just couldn’t find a good shot. But that’s the way it is, and you have to learn to handle it. Good thing, we also made good stops and we hung on,” said Coach Jong Uichico.
Tony Semerad, who also had a hand in that finishing kick to help Alas and Bolick, finished with 11 points on two treys and 11 rebounds.
JB Bahio fell just short of tallying another double-double with 11 points and eight rebounds, while Xyrus Torres chipped in 10 markers in the victory.
The result also gave Bolick a fitting welcome after missing their first two games of the season.
Still grieving the loss of his father, the Season 49 Mythical First Team member finished with nine points, seven rebounds, nine assists, and two steals.
“Sinusubukan ko lang para lang sa erpats ko,” Bolick said. “Pero hindi ko alam. Basta, subukan ko lang. Susubukan ko lang. Buti nanalo kami ngayon.”
NLEX will look to post back-to-back wins for the first time in this conference when they take on Meralco this Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
(C) PBA Images
Ricci Rivero, on the other hand, led Phoenix with a career-high 22 points alongside six rebounds in the loss, which dropped their record to 1-2.
Jason Perkins made 15 points and five rebounds, while Kai Ballungay added 11 markers and 12 boards in the comeback that fell just short.
The Fuel Masters will look to get back on track as quickly as they can against the 2-1 Converge on Saturday, also in Antipolo.
The Scores:
NLEX 87 – Alas 26, Semerad 11, Bahio 11, Torres 10, Bolick 9, Fajardo 7, Nieto 7, Ramirez 4, Valdez 2, Rodger 0, Mocon 0, Policarpio 0.
Phoenix 81 – Rivero 22, Perkins 15, Ballungay 12, Tuffin 9, Tio 7, Kwekuteye 6, Caperal 5, Nelle 3, Manganti 2, Escandor 0, Jazul 0, Daves 0, Santos 0.
Quarterscores: 14-17, 45-30, 70-57, 87-81.
