PBA: NLEX finds rhythm in Q4 to overcome Macau's challenge

Cady Lalanne got the last laugh against Tony Mitchell. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

ANTIPOLO--NLEX zoomed in the fourth quarter to steal a 106-97 win from a Macau side still hungry for its first victory in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Tuesday night at the Ynares Center 1.

Down 74-78 at the end of the third quarter, the Road Warriors opened the fourth on a 14-3 run to take a 90-81 lead with 7:22 remaining.

The Black Knights still managed to fight back and were within three, 97-100, after a Jenning Leung four with 55 seconds left.

However, Schonny Winston doused cold water on his opponents' comeback attempt by taking the four points back the old-fashioned way, that is, a three-pointer plus a bonus free throw off a Sun Meng foul with 35 seconds to go.

Cady Lalanne led NLEX, which tied Meralco in second place at 5-1, with 28 points, 18 rebounds, one assist, and three blocks.

Winston added 24 points and three rebounds, while Robert Bolick fired 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-7 from long range, seven rebounds, 11 assists, and one steal.

Both teams will face off on Friday night to break their deadlock.

Tony Mitchell put up 32 points on 13-of-17 shooting, 11 rebounds, and two assists for Macau, which remained winless at 0-7.