PBA: NLEX gets shot at 8th seed with shock rout vs HK Eastern

It was Mike Watkins' turn to put up a monstrous 40-point game for NLEX. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--NLEX assured itself of at least a play-in game for the last PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinal spot after drubbing Hong Kong Eastern, 94-76, on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Road Warriors spoiled the Long Lions' Chinese New Year plans by turning things around in the last three quarters, especially with their defense clicking and Mike Watkins and Robert Bolick being dominant again.

Watkins finished with 41 points on 18-of-27 shooting, 14 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks for NLEX, which ended its campaign in the elimination round with a 6-6 record, winning its last three games.

Fresh from a historic 40-point, 10-assist game against Rain Or Shine, Bolick added 21 points on 3-of-4 shooting on threes and 10-for-10 on free throws, five rebounds, and eight assists.

The Road Warriors can clinch a quarterfinal spot outright if either the Elasto Painters lose to the TNT Tropang Giga or the Magnolia Hotshots bow to the Meralco Bolts on Friday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

NLEX's win officially eliminates San Miguel from playoff contention.

Chris McLaughlin paced Eastern, which kissed its Top 2 hopes goodbye, with 18 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

The team can only hope that neither Meralco nor Ginebra drops to 7-5 too to avoid possibly dropping to the seventh seed, which puts them at a once-to-beat disadvantage in the quarterfinals.

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