PBA: NLEX survives Stephen Holt explosion to edge Ginebra

Robert Bolick outlasted Stephen Holt to keep NLEX's streak going. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—NLEX withstood a Stephen Holt-led comeback by Ginebra and escaped with an 89-86 win in their PBA Philippine Cup showdown on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Road Warriors blew a 17-point third quarter lead, especially when Holt came alive in the fourth quarter to help the Gin Kings eventually take an 86-84 lead with 1:13 left.

However, Xyrus Torres hit a go-ahead three with 49 seconds to go to put NLEX up, 87-86, and then secured the rebound after Jamie Malonzo missed a three-pointer of his own at the other end.

Torres, though, failed to close out the game on his own terms as he missed two free throws off a Holt foul, but Ginebra could not grab the rebound and the ball stayed in NLEX's possession with 10 seconds remaining.

Robert Bolick somehow finished the job offensively by making two free throws with seven seconds left for the final margin.

The Road Warriors' tough defense then forced Scottie Thompson to a tough corner three that only rimmed out even as Bolick, despite a leg injury, soared for the game-sealing rebound.

Bolick led NLEX, which stretched its winning streak to four, with 28 points on 10-for-14 field goals including a perfect 3-for-3 on threes, seven rebounds, four assists, and one block.

Torres and Brandon Ramirez each added 11 points.

Holt put up 21 points, 18 in the fourth quarter, going 4-of-7 from three-point range, two rebounds, and three assists, while Thompson added 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, and one block for Ginebra, which fell to 2-2.

The Scores:

NLEX 89 – Bolick 28, Torres 11, Ramirez 11, Alas 10, Mocon 8, Bahio 6, Semerad 6, Fajardo 5, Rodger 2, Policarpio 2, Nieto 0

GINEBRA 86 – Holt 21, Thompson 20, Malonzo 11, Abarrientos 11, Rosario 8, J. Aguilar 7, Adamos 6, Pinto 2, Cu 0, David 0, Mariano 0

QUARTERS: 13-23, 37-36, 67-53, 89-86

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