PBA: NLEX rallies in last 6 minutes to steal win from Blackwater

Cady Lalanne got the better of Daniel Ochefu in their PBA debuts. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--NLEX got its rhythm going within the last six minutes to escape with an 84-81 win against Blackwater at the start of its PBA Commissioner's Cup campaign on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

A four-pointer from Robert Bolick right at the halfway point of the fourth quarter sparked a game-turning 12-0 run that gave the Road Warriors an 81-75 lead with three minutes left in the contest.

The Bossing, who led by as much as 16 in the second quarter, tried to come back after four straight points that cut their deficit to two, 81-79, with 1:09 to go.

However, Bolick delivered in the clutch by scoring a pull-up three with 37.8 seconds left that gave NLEX an 84-79 lead.

Daniel Ochefu kept Blackwater in the game after scoring a quick hook shot while forcing a shotclock violation on the other end, giving the team 8.4 seconds to try to force overtime.

Christian David had his best chance as he was left wide open after faking against Bolick, but his three-pointer fell short, and time ran out on Sedrick Barefield's last gasp from four-point range.

Bolick finished with 24 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and four steals, while Cady Lalanne added 22 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and one steal for the Road Warriors.

Barefield led the Bossing with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Ochefu added 16 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, and one steal.