PBA: NLEX rallies from 19 down to spoil SMB's season debut in OT thriller

Thomas Robinson dropped a 40-20 in his PBA debut against the team he was once supposed to be with. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--NLEX rose to the occasion despite falling into a huge hole and stunned San Miguel right at its PBA season debut with a 117-113 overtime win on Wednesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Down 76-57 with seven minutes left in the third quarter, the Road Warriors slowly crawled back to the game, and a Kris Rosales triple with 9.6 seconds left in the fourth forced a 105-all deadlock.

Terrence Romeo still tried to win it in regulation for the Beermen, but he missed a tough layup before time expired.

The game remained tight for the most part of the overtime period until Anthony Semerad made 2-of-3 from the free throw line off a Rodney Brondial foul while taking a corner three with 1:19 left that put NLEX ahead, 115-113.

SMB then committed three crucial turnovers down the stretch, and Kevin Alas made two more charities to ice the game for NLEX.

Thomas Robinson made up for an eight-turnover night as he led the Road Warriors, who moved up to 1-1, with 42 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, and one block.

Rosales added 19 points, going 6-for-7 from beyond the arc, one rebound, and four assists off the bench.

Romeo finished with 28 points, one rebound, six assists, and one steal in his first regular season game back from a hamstring injury to lead the Beermen.

CJ Perez added 25 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal, June Mar Fajardo contributed 22 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and one steal, and Ivan Aska put up 21 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Jeron Teng only netted two points and four rebounds in his SMB debut, while Kyt Jimenez sat out the game.

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