MANILA, Philippines – The sense of urgency finally kicked in for NLEX.
Their playoff fate on the line, the Road Warriors snapped a four-game losing streak in style following a 104-79 mauling of Phoenix in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, September 20.
Import DeQuan Jones set the tone in the rout with 27 points and 7 rebounds as NLEX hiked its record to 4-5 to zero in on the fourth and last quarterfinal berth up for grabs in Group B.
“They knew how important this game is for us,” said Road Warriors head coach Jong Uichico of his players. “They realized the importance of this game.”
NLEX needs to beat Barangay Ginebra in its final elimination-round game on Sunday, September 22, at the Araneta Coliseum to secure its place in the playoffs.
A loss will leave the playoff door ajar for Blackwater, which sits at fifth place in Group B toting a 3-5 record with two games remaining.
In case of a tie, the Road Warriors will edge the Bossing by virtue of a higher point differential in their head-to-head encounters.
“They are capable of winning two games,” Uichico said of Blackwater. “We cannot discount the fact that they have a chance of getting to the quarterfinals.”
Robert Bolick backstopped Jones with 19 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals as they joined hands in a blazing first half that paved the way for NLEX to cruise to the 25-point rout.
Jones and Bolick scored 16 and 11 points, respectively, in the first two quarters to help the Road Warriors build a 54-37 halftime cushion — a lead that swelled to as big as 33 points, 94-61, in the fourth period.
Baser Amer provided quality minutes off the bench with 14 points in 10 minutes, Enoch Valdez put up 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, while rookie Jonnel Policarpio chimed in a near double-double of 8 points and 10 rebounds.
“Our pride and character emerged,” said Amer.
Sean Manganti and Tyler Tio registered 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Fuel Masters, who ended their campaign at the bottom of Group B with a 1-9 record.
Enduring an 0-7 start, Phoenix avoided a winless run when it hacked out a 119-114 victory over Blackwater on September 15 before it concluded the conference with back-to-back losses.
Import Brandone Francis turned in a dismal performance in his last game for the Fuel Masters, tallying just 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 16 minutes.
NLEX 104 – Jones 27, Bolick 19, Amer 14, Valdez 10, Policarpio 8, Nermal 8, Torres 5, Fajardo 4, Herndon 3, Mocon 2, Nieto 2, Semerad 2, Anthony 0, Miranda 0, Marcelo 0, Rodger 0.
Phoenix 79 – Manganti 13, Tio 12, Perkins 11, Sotud 10, Rivero 7, Alejandro 7, Jazul 7, Francis 4, Muyang 3, Ballungay 3, Salado 2, Verano 0, Tuffin 0, Garcia 0, Daves 0, Ular 0.
Quarters : 30-17, 54-37, 83-55, 104-79.
– Rappler.com
