NLEX gives Blackwater record-tying defeat

JR Quinahan imposed his will anew for the Road Warriors. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Once upon a time, Great Taste, before establishing itself as a PBA stronghold, lost a handful of games in a sequence--18 straight to be exact which set an all-time long for a losing streak.

After 41 years, it happened again.

Blackwater became only the second team in PBA history to drop 18 games in succession after falling prey to NLEX, 73-90, in their Thursday night showdown at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Unlike in many of their previous game in which they would put up a strong start only to fizzle in the end, the Bossing were kept at bay from the get-go.

The Road Warriors got their offensive bearings quickly, taking a 28-22 lead over the Bossing at the end of the first quarter.

NLEX then turned to defense the rest of the way, holding Blackwater to less than 20 points in the second an the fourth quarters to seal the blowout.

JR Quinahan, who hurt his hand the previous game, showed that he's OK already by top-scoring for the Road Warriors, who actually snapped a three-game losing streak and are now in sixth place at 5-5, with 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one block.

Philip Paniamogan added 14 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Simon Enciso put up 17 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and two steals for the Bossing, who are now 0-10 in the ongoing Philippine Cup.

Unlike in the case of Coffee Masters, who lost 18 straight within the 1980 season, the Bossing's skid dates back to last season, in which they finished 2020 with eight consecutive defeats.

Blackwater has one chance to prevent itself from rewriting the PBA history book for the wrong reason, but it needs to beat Meralco, 95-83 winner over Terrafirma in the first game, on Saturday.

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