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| Xyrus Torres had another solid outing for NLEX. PBA Images |
MANILA––NLEX secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals after downing Magnolia, 107-99, on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Road Warriors pulled off a furious comeback from 19 points down late in the first quarter by holding the Hotshots to just 14 points in the second quarter before exploding for 36 points in the third to take an 80-70 lead.
NLEX would lead by as much as 17 points in the fourth before Magnolia somehow trimmed the final margin to a respectable one.
Despite committing seven turnovers, Robert Bolick still paced the Road Warriors, who are now the solo leaders in the team standings at 8-2, with 25 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-6 on threes and 2-of-5 on fours, nine rebounds, five assists, and one block.
Xyrus Torres added 22 points on 8-for-13 field goals, including 4-of-7 on threes, and two assists.
Zav Lucero put up 23 points on 9-of-15 field goals, 12 rebounds, one assist, and two blocks for the Hotshots, who fell to third place at 7-3 following back-to-back defeats.
Ian Sangalang added 21 points on 10-of-12 shooting, three rebounds, and two assists, but he too had five errors.
The Scores:
NLEX 107 – Bolick 25, Torres 22, Ramirez 18, Policarpio 12, Mocon 10, Alas 9, Bahaio 5, Valdez 4, Nieto 2, Semerad 0, Miranda 0, Herndon 0
MAGNOLIA 99 – Lucero 23, Sangalang 21, Lastimosa 17, Lee 16, Ahanmisi 8, Alfaro 4, Dionisio 4, Barroca 2, Navarro 2, Laput 2, Dela Rosa 0
QUARTERS: 15-32, 44-46, 80-70, 107-99
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