NLEX heaved a huge sigh of relief after finally finding a way to break out of the four-game slump and make it to the best-of-three quarterfinals against Meralco.

The Road Warriors had a promising start to the conference after a 5-1 record in the first six games but since then absorbed four straight loses that put them at 5-5 and their playoff aspirations hanging in the balance.

Good thing, NLEX won its final game and making it even sweeter was ending the skid against a powerhouse team like Ginebra with a close 76-72 escape.

“After four consecutive losses it’s nice to get a awin again, lalo na sa Ginebra pa,” said NLEX head coach Frankie Lim.

The win allowed the Road Warriors to formally barge into the quarterfinals with a 6-5 record for sixth place.

Otherwise, a loss could mean disaster as they would be falling into a playoff for the eighth and last quarters spot with a twice-to-win disadvantage against top seed San Miguel.

“Four-game losing streak buti na-stop namin. Natalo San Miguel kahapon (versus Meralco) alam namin do or die na kami kasi kung matalo kami fighting for eighth spot kami. So napaganda best of three, sana tuloy-tuloy,” echoed NLEX main man Robert Bolick.

Even with the win, Lim said there’s still a lot to be desired for the team’s performance especially with how poorly they closed out the game against Ginebra.

“We should have handled our last five minutes a lot better. Sometimes we made bad decisions. I felt we could have had a better shot but just the same, my guys didn't give up and they held their own,” added Lim.

NLEX was held without a single field goal in the last six minutes of the game, a drought which Ginebra took advantage of to cut a once 73-63 lead to just one, 73-72. 

Free throws from Baser Amer and Richie Rodger sealed the deal but not before the Road Warriors forced a five-second inbound violation in the Kings’ final possession.

Bolick stressed the need for the team to make adjustments especially that they cannot afford to play lackluster in the playoffs

“Yung seven minutes ng fourth quarter di kami naka score yun lagi yung problema namin. Siguro nagsisimula sa akin yon kasalanan ko iyon,” said Bolick.

“For sure sila coach Franky aayusin namin iyon going to the playoffs na di na mangyari yung ganun na lamang na kami dapat di na namin papahabulin pa,” he added.