Game today:

(Candon City Arena)

7:30 p.m. — Magnolia vs NorthPort

NLEX weathered a late fourth quarter scare from Converge in an 88-83 escape for a sixth straight win and a step closer to the quarterfinals of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Friday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Robert Bolick was in his usual productive self, powering the Road Warriors to a 6-1 win-loss record for a share of the top spot with idle Magnolia.

The NLEX ace submitted a double-double of 19 points and 10 assists to go with seven rebounds, one steal and one block.

Rookie Xyrus Torres added 18 markers, while Javee Mocon and Anthony Semerad posted 10 points each for the Road Warriors, who extended their win streak despite scoring only 12 in the final period.

The FiberXers chipped away an 18-point deficit in the third quarter and even breathed down the Road Warriors’ necks, 78-81, with 4:08 left in the game after a Schonny Winston basket.

Bolick answered with five straight points in a 7-5 counterattack to keep Converge at bay.

“We knew all along how strong Converge is. They’ve been playing so well so we had to find the extras. The players just did their job in finding that extra,” NLEX coach Jong Uichico said.

Converge saw its back-to-back win streak snapped as it slid to a 5-4 mark.

Rookie Justine Baltazar paced the FiberXers with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Alec Stockton and Winston had 17 and 16 markers, respectively.