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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider NLEX goes for 2-0 start; SMB, Phoenix seek first win

NLEX goes for 2-0 start; SMB, Phoenix seek first win

Published Oct 11, 2025 02:43 pm

At A Glance

  • NLEX is hoping to ride the momentum from its stunning opening game win when it takes on Terrafirma in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Sunday, Oct 12.
NLEX hopes to ride the momentum from its stunning opening game win when it takes on Terrafirma in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Sunday, Oct 12.
Fresh off a morale-boosting 85-84 win over the defending champion San Miguel, the Road Warriors aim to go for a 2-0 start to the conference in the first offering at 5:15 p.m.
The Beermen try to bounce back and barge into the win column against fellow winless team Phoenix Fuel Masters in the second game at 7:30 p.m.
The young guns, led by Jonnel Policarpio and JB Bahio, are expected to lead the way for NLEX especially that they will still be missing the services of their grieving main man Robert Bolick whose father passed away just a day before NLEX opened its conference.
Kevin Alas, Baser Amer and Matt Nieto will be sharing the point guard duties though head coach Jong Uichico stressed the team still need to play collectively just like in the first game to be able to win.
"It was a collective effort ng lahat in the absence of Berto (Bolick). Medyo may motivation factor kami, Lahat ng napasok ko ngayon contributed to the best of their ability. Hindi lang isa, hindi lang dalawa, pero lahat because we have to make up for the absence of Berto," said Uichico.
Terrafirma, however, is surely also raring to give new head coach Ronald Tubid his first win especially after absorbing a 107-87 loss to Blackwater just last Friday, Oct. 10.
The Dyip was able to compete for the first two quarters but seemingly lost steam in the last two frames allowing the Bossing to pull away for good.
Jerrick Ahanmisi, who fired 25 points in the first game, is emerging as the Dyip main man though he still needs more from teammates like Louis Sangalang, Mark Nonoy and Paolo Hernandez.
Meanwhile in the second game, the Beermen are hoping to quickly lick the wounds from their opening game loss by barging into the win column against the Fuel Masters.
June Mar Fajardo, seemingly a bit tentative in the first game, needs to assert his size advantage more especially with Phoenix boasting a tough and athletic frontline of Jason Perkins and Kai Ballungay.
Players like Don Trollano, Jericho Cruz, and Marcio Lassiter should also step up since star guard CJ Perez remains in minute restriction as he continues to recover from an ankle injury he sustained during the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia.
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