NLEX recovers from sluggish start, outguns TNT in come-from-behind win
NLEX recovered from a lethargic start with its topnotch defense and the hot-shooting of Anthony Semerad to outgun TNT, 97-84, in the PBA on Tour at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan on Wednesday, July 26.
The Road Warriors tightened up their defense screws in the second frame to erase a huge 22 point deficit in the first half before Semerad spearheaded a blistering third quarter explosion to turn the table on the Tropang Giga. Semerad actually poured 16 of NLEX’s 33 point eruption in that frame, allowing them to seize full control of the contest and improve to a 5-5 record in the standings. The 6-foot-4 forward topscored the Road Warriors with 23 points, built on five triples while Jake Pascual anchored his team’s defensive stance with 18 huge rebounds across his name. Clint Doliguez and Don Trollano also had their share in the come-from-behind win with 16 points apiece as NLEX overcame a blistering start from TNT which took a commanding 23-7 lead in the opening frame. Defense was the name of the game for NLEX however as after allowing TNT to light up the scoreboard with 37 first quarter points for a commanding 20 point lead, the Road Warriors limited the Tropang Giga to a measly eight points in the second quarter. That allowed NLEX to get back into the game before it engaged TNT in a shootout in the third quarter with Semerad leading the way for the former and Carl Bryan Cruz spearheading the latter. As the dust settled, NLEX found itself already up by six heading into the final frame. That was when the rest of the Road Warriors put on the finishing touches and established its own 29-points advantage, 95-75. Cruz who dropped 21 points in the second half finished with 26 points highlighted by his seven triples while Khobuntin added 24 points spiked by six triples on top of his 10 rebounds.
*Anthony Semerad takes care of the scoring for NLEX. (PBA Images)
*The Road Warriors tightened up their defense screws in the second frame to erase a huge 22 point deficit in the first half before Semerad spearheaded a blistering third quarter explosion to turn the table on the Tropang Giga. Semerad actually poured 16 of NLEX’s 33 point eruption in that frame, allowing them to seize full control of the contest and improve to a 5-5 record in the standings. The 6-foot-4 forward topscored the Road Warriors with 23 points, built on five triples while Jake Pascual anchored his team’s defensive stance with 18 huge rebounds across his name. Clint Doliguez and Don Trollano also had their share in the come-from-behind win with 16 points apiece as NLEX overcame a blistering start from TNT which took a commanding 23-7 lead in the opening frame. Defense was the name of the game for NLEX however as after allowing TNT to light up the scoreboard with 37 first quarter points for a commanding 20 point lead, the Road Warriors limited the Tropang Giga to a measly eight points in the second quarter. That allowed NLEX to get back into the game before it engaged TNT in a shootout in the third quarter with Semerad leading the way for the former and Carl Bryan Cruz spearheading the latter. As the dust settled, NLEX found itself already up by six heading into the final frame. That was when the rest of the Road Warriors put on the finishing touches and established its own 29-points advantage, 95-75. Cruz who dropped 21 points in the second half finished with 26 points highlighted by his seven triples while Khobuntin added 24 points spiked by six triples on top of his 10 rebounds.