NLEX muscled its way down the stretch to notch a hard-fought 93-89 grinder over listless Blackwater for a much-needed win in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Arnett Moultrie had a big bounce-back game, tallying a game-high 26 points together with 16 rebounds to lead the Road Warriors.
Juami Tiongson and Alex Mallari added 10 markers each.
Trailing by nine with only five minutes remaining, the Road Warriors came up big in the clutch, finishing the game on a 16-3 blast to snatch the game away from the Elite.
Tiongson’s basket with 2:44 left gave NLEX the lead, 87-86, for good.
Blackwater wasn’t able to respond in the waning moments as NLEX made sure it had the last say.
As a result, NLEX suddenly boosted its campaign with an improved 2-4 slate, while Blackwater remained luckless as it fell to 0-7.
Another loss for the Elite will result in elimination.
The Road Warriors were off to a solid start, opening up a 30-19 spread early in the second quarter but the Elite immediately dug itself out of trouble by finishing the first half strong, trimming the gap to only two, 42-40, in favor of NLEX.
NLEX played its first game without rookie star Kiefer Ravena, who was suspended for 18 months by the FIBA in all of its competitions after testing positive for three banned substance during the second window of the qualifiers early this year. Since the PBA is sanctioned by FIBA, Ravena likewise serves the same reprimand in the local league, as of now.
Still, the league board is set to convene to further clarify Ravena’s status and situation.
Henry Walker made his return to Blackwater but only managed 12 points. Mike DiGregorio led the Elite with his 25 points in yet another losing cause.
