Road Warriors sweep Fuel Masters, break into semis after five years
Robert Bolick carries NLEX into the semifinals after blowing out Phoenix, 137-89, in Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup best-of-five quarterfinals series.
Photograph courtesy of PBA
NLEX swept its way into the semifinals after crushing Phoenix, 137-89, in Game 3 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup best-of-five quarterfinals series on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
A 43-point first-quarter output by the Road Warriors that fueled a 35-point separation by halftime set the tone for the lopsided affair as the franchise ended a five-year wait to advance into the Final Four.
Robert Bolick, who is entering his first PBA career semis appearance, finished with 23 points on 6-of-9 shooting to lead NLEX, who trailed 0-2 to start the game before staying in front the rest of the way.
Import Deonte Burton and Schonny Winston added 19 markers each, Kevin Alas and Ljay Gonzales had 12 apiece while Enoch Valdez scored 10 for the top-seeded Road Warriors.
“Extremely, extremely proud of our guys,” said NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag, who steered the club back to the semis since the 2021 Governors’ Cup right in his first conference at the helm.
Alapag lauded the hard work and dedication of his wards that led to an easy passage to the next round.
“The one thing that stood out when I came back, that first week together with this group, just the work ethic. Everybody works hard. We practice early in the morning and everybody’s in the gym two hours before practice starts ready to work,” he said.
“I think that speaks not just to Berto (Bolick) but it speaks to the entire group. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to coach them and I’m extremely proud not only that we’re in the semifinals but now they have the chance to do something great,” Alapag added.
NLEX will take on in the best-of-five semifinals the winner between Rain or Shine and Converge, which are tied 1-1 in their quarters series.
The Road Warriors was in full control of the ballgame and built their biggest separation at 50 after Xyrus Torres drained a four-pointer for a 137-87 count with 1:40 left.
Marcellus Earlington had 19 points and Kai Ballungay added 16 markers for the Fuel Masters.