NLEX survived the gutsy comeback of Blackwater and held on for an 88-75 win at the resumption of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Asi Taulava, Sean Anthony and import Al Thornton teamed up for a crucial run late in the game that thwarted the uprising of the Elite and improved its win-loss standing to 4-4.
Taulava posted a double-double game with 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Thornton also added 22 markers and eight boards as NLEX boosted its chances of advancing to the next stage as it is now tied with Talk ‘N Text, Rain or Shine and Mahindra at the middle of the team standings.
“It’s really our defense that stepped up today. Our goal is to limit Blackwater below 90,” said Road Warriors Head Coach Boyet Fernandez, who also drew 15 markers and eight rebounds from Anthony. Kevin Alas netted 10 for NLEX.
“In our past few games, we’re allowing our opponents to score on us. Credit to the players and it is really a total team effort,” he added.
Blackwater absorbed its third straight loss and dropped to 3-6. The Elite are again in danger of missing the next phase with two games left in the elimination round.
Rookie Art de la Cruz paced the Leo Isaac-mentored squad with 16 points and 12 rebounds as import MJ Rhett had a poor offensive performance, hitting just 14 markers on five-of-14 shooting from the field.
Carlo Lastimosa, usually a reliable gunner, was also silent in the game as he was limited to just six points in only eight attempts.
But despite the struggles of Lastimosa and Rhett, Blackwater managed to stay in the game and Bambam Gamalinda’s basket pushed the team within two, 68-70 with 7:19 remaining.
Thornon keyed a decisive 11-1 exchange he capped with a one-hand slam to give the Road Warriors a comfortable 81-69 separation with 2:45 left in the clock.
The Elite never recovered from that NLEX surge to surrender its sixth outing in nine matches. Reil Cervantes chipped in 11 markers for Blackwater.