At A Glance
- NLEX fended off a big fightback from Meralco, 89-85, to forge a five-team deadlock at the top of the standings early in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Oct. 26.
NLEX fended off a big fightback from Meralco, 89-85, to forge a five-team deadlock at the top of the standings early in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Oct. 26.
The Road Warriors unloaded a pivotal 15-0 run in the fourth quarter to create some breathing space that proved to be enough to cushion a last-ditch run from the Bolts to make it two straight wins.
NLEX joined TNT, Magnolia, Rain or Shine and Converge with similar 3-1 records.
JB Bahio led the assault for NLEX with 16 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while Robert Bolick came two rebounds shy of triple-double with his 11 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
Kevin Alas had 12 points while Jonnel Policarpio and Robbie Herndon chipped in 10 apiece.
Down by four, 68-72, NLEX went on with the huge run to erect an 83-72 advantage. The Bolts, however, refused to go down without a fight as CJ Cansino pulled Meralco within two, 87-85, with 13 seconds left.
The Road Warriors then held on with their defense in the waning seconds before Bolick nailed two crucial free throws to keep the Bolts at bay.
Cansino sustained his fine play with 24 points while Cliff Hodge finished with a double-double of 14 points and 17 rebounds – all of which went down the drain as Meralco saw its three-game win streak snapped by the loss.