STAYING ALIVE: NLEX sinks Eastern, boosts quartefinal chances
‘In the first half, I didn’t like the way we were playing. There’s no energy. But they were able to pick it up in the second half. That’s a good sign that they were able to recover after that slow start.’
Mike Watkins muscles his way to a 41-point performance to lift NLEX to a 94-76 win over Hong Kong Eastern that boosted their chance of grabbing the last spot in the playoffs of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PBA
Games tomorrow:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. — Meralco vs Magnolia
7:30 p.m. — TNT vs Rain or Shine
There’s still uncertainty in NLEX’s playoff hopes despite snatching an all-important win.
However, one thing is for sure: There will be a new Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup champion.
The Road Warriors secured at least a playoff for a quarterfinals berth after crushing the Hong Kong Eastern, 94-76, for a third straight win Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NLEX finished the elimination round with an even 6-6 win-loss record and in the process knocked the crown off the head of last year’s champion San Miguel Beer.
The Beermen had a rough run, closing their campaign with a 5-7 slate to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 edition of the import-laden tournament.
San Miguel also became the first reigning titlist in two decades to get chopped in the playoffs race since Barangay Ginebra bombed out of the 2005 Fiesta Conference.
But for the Road Warriors, their playoff drive continues.
NLEX bucked a slow start and an injury scare on main local gunner Robert Bolick midway in the third period to rout the guest squad.
“In the first half, I didn’t like the way we were playing. There’s no energy. But they were able to pick it up in the second half. That’s a good sign that they were able to recover after that slow start,” said Road Warriors coach Jong Uichico, who ironically eliminated the same team he guided to six titles in the early to mid-2000s.
“And of course, we gave ourselves another chance.”
The Road Warriors will advance to the next round outright if Magnolia (5-6) loses to quarters-bound Meralco on Friday.
NLEX could even climb to the No. 7 spot in case of a three-way tie at 6-6 with the Hotshots and Rain or Shine (6-5) by virtue of superior quotient.
Mike Watkins was efficient from the field, hitting 18-of-27 from the field for a game-high 41 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to pace NLEX.
Bolick, who hurt his left ankle following an awkward landing with 7:17 left in the third but was able to return in the payoff period, finished with 21 markers as the only other Road Warrior in double figures.
Javee Mocon and rookie Jonel Policarpio added nine each for NLEX, who led by as many as 19 in the second half after a slim 43-42 advantage at the break.
The Road Warriors stepped on the gas in the third quarter and held down Eastern to just 15 points in the canto.
NLEX pulled away for good, 88-69, after Bolick nailed a triple with 3:55 left in the ball game.
Eastern absorbed their second straight defeat and closed the elims with a 7-5 card, pulling them to a precarious situation to slide down to No. 7 in the playoffs with a twice-to-win disadvantage.
Chris McLaughlin had 18 points and 17 rebounds while Hayden Blankley and Glen Yang added 14 and 12 markers, respectively, for Eastern. Kobey Lam made 11 points.
The scores:
NLEX (94) — Watkins 41, Bolick 21, Mocon 9, Policarpio 9, Herndon 6, Torres 5, Ramirez 3, Alas 0, Semerad 0.
EASTERN (76) — McLaughlin 18, Blankley 14, Yang 12, Lam 11, Cao 5, Cheuung 5, Chan 4, Guincahrd 3, Pok 2, Leung 2.
QUARTERS: 18-23, 43-42, 65-57, 94-76.