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| Robert Bolick played another solid game as NLEX's main facilitator. Peter Baltazar |
MANILA—NLEX looked more rejuvenated from the Holy Week break as it clobbered Phoenix, 120-102, at the resumption of the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Easter Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Road Warriors staggered the Fuel Masters early into the game by racing to a 33-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Phoenix slowly crawled back into the match and cut the lead down to four, 74-70, with 1:37 left in the third period.
However, five straight points from Anthony Semerad and Robert Bolick kept NLEX in control before the end of the third, and the team exploded for 41 points in the fourth to pull away.
Cady Lalanne led the Road Warriors, who moved up to solo second at 4-1 behind the still undefeated Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters, with 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.
Robert Bolick added 22 points, five rebounds, 14 assists, and two steals.
While he was concerned at his team's defense, coach Jong Uichico lauded NLEX for the solid ball movement.
“It showed in the game na they shared the ball. Their defense is still average but they shared the ball, they know who to go to. That's through practice where nagbibigayan sila sa isa't isa. Kung sino ang mainit, eh di yun ang bibigyan ng bola,” he said.
Ricci Rivero led the Fuel Masters, who dropped to 3-2, with 20 points, five rebounds, and one assist, while James Dickey was held to 13 markers on 5-of-14 shooting, although he came close to a rare 5x5 with 14 rebounds, five steals, four assists, and four blocks.
The scores:
NLEX 120 – Lalanne 29, Bolick 22, Alas 18, Winston 16, Semerad 15, Bahio 6, Rodger 6, Ramirez 3, Torres 3, Herndon 2, Gonzales 0, Racal 0, Fajardo 0, Capulong 0.
Phoenix Super LPG 102 – Rivero 20, Perkins 18, Tuffin 14, Dickey 13, Tio 9, Escandor 9, Nelle 5, Santos 5, Caperal 3, Daves 2, Delos Santos 2, Cullar 2.
Quarters: 33-17; 52-42; 79-72; 120-102.
