NLEX escapes past Ginebra to seal PBA PH Cup QF berth

Robert Bolick sizzled anew for NLEX. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--NLEX survived a huge scare from Ginebra for a 76-72 win in the final game of the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round on Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Gin Kings held the Road Warriors scoreless for over seven minutes, but NLEX still found a way to escape as Ginebra could not complete a comeback.

With the Road Warriors up, 73-61, with 7:08 to play, the Gin Kings went on a 9-0 run to trim the lead down to just one, 73-70, with 1:55 left.

Ginebra continued to pound on NLEX defensively and got a chance to tie the game after Robert Bolick fouled Maverick Ahanmisi while taking a three with 32 seconds left.

Ahanmisi, however, missed his third free throw, and the lead was just at one point, 73-72.

Bolick tried to put more pressure on the Gin Kings but missed a mid-range jumper.

However, Anthony Semerad grabbed the offensive rebound, and Baser Amer was eventually sent to the foul line.

Amer, though, just split his free throws, giving Ginebra three seconds to try to force overtime or steal the win.

However, Von Pessumal's inbound pass ended at the hand of Richie Rodgers, who finally sealed the win for NLEX with two free throws with only a second remaining.

Bolick finished with 25 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and one steal for the Road Warriors, who clinched an outright quarterfinal berth as the sixth seed.

Rodgers added 11 points, six rebounds, and two assists for NLEX, which will play Meralco in a best-of-three quarterfinal series.

Christian Standhardinger led the Gin Kings, who fell to 7-4, with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.

Despite the defeat, Ginebra keeps the second seed and will only need one win to eliminate Magnolia, which fell to the seventh seed with NLEX's win, in the quarterfinals.

Terrafirma and NorthPort, which finished at 5-6, will dispute the eighth seed in a knockout game on  Wednesday night back at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

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