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| Robert Bolick waxed hot from the outside to lead NLEX's ouster of Phoenix. Peter Baltazar |
MANILA—NLEX delivered the biggest fear to Phoenix on Halloween night: getting eliminated from the PBA playoffs by a huge margin.
The Road Warriors completed a 3-0 sweep of their PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals with a 137-89 whipping of the Fuel Masters on Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
NLEX wasted no time in sending Phoenix home, opening a 43-21 first-quarter lead that ballooned to 78-43 at halftime.
The Fuel Masters completely lost their rhythm in the fourth period when the Road Warriors held them to only 18 points.
Robert Bolick made a living from the outside, making all but two of his 23 points either by a three or a four, along with four rebounds, five assists, and one steal to lead NLEX to a return to the semifinals.
Deonte Burton and Schonny Winston added 19 points each.
Marcellus Earlington led Phoenix, which begins a long offseason to bolster the Charles Tiu-led roster, with 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
