NLEX Warriors grab share of lead

A VITAL rampage in the second half propelled NLEX to its second straight victory, a 93-85 trouncing of the debuting Barako Bull, to grab a share of the early lead in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

The burly front-court duo of Asi Taulava and Sean Anthony continued to impress and power the assault of the promising Road Warriors.

Both had double-double performances with Taulava dropping 14 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, while Anthony poured in 11 points and 19 whopping rebounds off the bench as they lifted NLEX to victory.

As a result, the Road Warriors improved to 2-0, their best start in their young PBA stint, to tie Rain or Shine as the early tournament leaders.

Barako Bull started its campaign at 0-1.

NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez is happy with his team’s early success, giving his players credit for their efforts.

‘’We’re just happy that we won our second straight game and we’re having a good start. Hopefully, we can continue this,’’ said Fernandez. ‘’I give credit to my players. Without their efforts, we won’t be able to win. Our guys stepped up.’’

Following a lackluster first half where it trailed 38-45 at the half, NLEX suddenly woke up in the second to slowly but surely take the game away.

The Road Warriors dominated the third, exploding or 35 points while holding the Energy to only 18 points to win the quarter by 17 points, snatching the lead and controlling the contest at 73-63, heading into the final period.

That proved to be the decisive blow as Barako Bull, though it was able put up a fight in the final 12 minutes by trimming the gap to just three points, once with over three minutes left, never fully recovered to allow NLEX to come away with another victory.

Mac Cardona had 12 points also as a sub, Kevin Alas scored 11 and Enrico Villanueva added 10 more points to complete five NLEX players in double-figures.

Good part of the game was all about the exchange of spurts between the two teams before NLEX created the requisite separation for good in the second half.

Barako Bull charged early to zoom to a double-digit lead right away, 25-12, in the latter minutes of the opening period.

The Road Warriors then bounced back with a 20-8 surge in between the opening two periods to inch close to within a point, 32-33, but it was still the Energy that ended the first half on a high note with a closing 12-6 run to keep the lead, 45-38, at the half.

Then, NLEX came out to blast Barako Bull with a 10-3 blitz to start the second half to tie things up at 48-apiece with over eight minutes left in the third to set it up for its critical attack in the period to eventually turn the tides in its favor.

JC Intal and Willie Wilson led Barako Bull in the losing cause, both scoring a game-high of 16 points, apiece.

Games Friday 

(Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City)

4:15 p.m. • Alaska vs. Blackwater

7 p.m. • GlobalPort vs. Star