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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider NLEX stakes winning run vs Magnolia

NLEX stakes winning run vs Magnolia

Published Apr 6, 2024 05:29 am

At A Glance

  • NLEX looks to pick up from where it left off while Magnolia tries to get back on track sans Calvin Abueva as the PBA returns to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium after 13 years with the 2024 Philippine Cup on Saturday, April 6.

NLEX looks to pick up from where it left off while Magnolia tries to get back on track sans Calvin Abueva as the PBA returns to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium after 13 years with the 2024 Philippine Cup on Saturday, April 6.

 

PBA Images7 (55).jpg
 

The Road Warriors stake their three-game win streak on the line as they hope to inch closer to the magic number of six wins to assure themselves a spot in the playoffs when they take on a Hotshots side still searching for their rhythm in the 6:15 p.m. affair.

Raising the curtain to the matchup is a clash between Rain or Shine and Blackwater at 3 p.m.,  marking the league's comeback to one of its old stomping grounds for the first time since 2011.

Interestingly, both Rain or Shine and Magnolia, then carrying the B-Meg banner, are two of the four teams that also played in the historic venue more than a decade ago.

One of the hottest teams before the league went on a two-week break, NLEX is now sporting a 4-1 record all thanks to a couple of fiery performances from star guard Robert Bolick.

Bolick's full offensive arsenal has been on display for NLEX so far as he leads the league in scoring and assists departments.

He is averaging 30.2 points through the first five games, highlighted by a career-high explosion of 46, while also dishing out 6.8 assists per contest.

He is set to be tested, however, against a plethora of Magnolia's defensive-minded guards in Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca. Even on the defensive end, Bolick might also have a hands full against an equally talented scorer in Paul Lee.

Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero needs to find ways of filling in the gaping hole left by Abueva, who was suspended for one game due to an obscene gesture towards a fan in the Hotshots' loss to archrival Ginebra Gin Kings.

It is a huge loss for the Hotshots who are still without injured players Rome Dela Rosa and Aris Dionisio.

Unlike NLEX which already played five games, Magnolia is still finding its rhythm and is only entering its third game of the conference after splitting its first two assignments.

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