MONTALBAN – NLEX went on a crucial scoring run in the fourth quarter before Robert Bolick finished off the job for an 80-72 win over Blackwater on Friday night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center II.
The Road Warriors outscored the Bossing, 9-0, to pull away from a 54-53 count, after which Bolick found his rhythm and hit a pair of 3s that enabled the Road Warriors to stay in front for good.
Bolick finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, even as rookie JB Bahio had another stellar showing with 12 and eight rebounds to help NLEX stretch its win streak to three for a 3-1 record.
Blackwater lost for the third time in four games as it missed the services of high-scoring rookie Sedric Barefield (hamstring injury).
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The Bossing also lost starting big man Christian David to a sprain ankle in the first quarter and never returned to the game.
Winning coach Jong Uichico credited Bolick for bailing out NLEX against a tough Blackwater team, whose defense according to him, took the Road Warriors out of their rhythm.
“When things were not going well, you know maaasahan mo (Bolick). He bailed us out today. I think he shot two big three pointers if I’m not mistaken to keep that lead. So we’re thankful to Berto for bailing us out tonight. It wasn’t me. There’s Berto,” said Uichico of his star player.
Kevin Alas and Dominic Fajardo also did their share for NLEX by scoring 10 each, with Alas adding six rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
BJ Andrade shot 6-of-10 from the floor for 15 points to lead the scoring for Blackwater, which likewise got 14 and 13 from RK Ilagan and Bradwyn Guinto, respectively.
The Bossing were actually in the thick of things early in the fourth quarter when Justin Chua completed a three-point play to close within 54-53.
But Matt Nieto hit a three pointer to spark nine straight unanswered points by the Road Warriors, which Anthony Semerad capped with two free throws that made it 62-53 halfway in the final quarter.
Guinto made a three-point play to put Blackwater within 68-64, before Bolick doused cold water to the Bossing’s rally by hitting back-to-back three pointers with 2:21 remaining to play.
The scores
NLEX (80) — Bolick 20, Bahio 12, Fajardo 10, Alas 10, Semerad 9, Nieto 5, Torres 5, Ramirez 4, Policarpio 3, Mocon 2, Rodger 0, Herndon 0.
Blackwater (72) — Andrade 15, Ilagan 14, Guinto 13, Ayonayon 9, Casio 5, Chua 5, Escoto 5, Mallilin 4, Tratter 2, Mitchell 0, Caperal 0, David 0.
Quarterscores: 10-17; 36-28; 52-50; 80-72.