Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon came through in the clutch as the NLEX Road Warriors outlasted the Meralco Bolts, 87-85, in a tightly contested showdown Sunday night in the 50th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center.
Bolick calmly sank two free throws in the final 12 seconds to give NLEX a slim cushion before Mocon sealed the win with crucial defensive rebounds off Bong Quinto’s missed four-point attempt in the dying moments.
JB Bahio provided steady support with a game-high 16 points, while Bolick finished with 11 as the Road Warriors secured their third win in four games under veteran coach Jong Uichico.
“Disiplina lang, poise lang ito. We just tried to match their intensity,” said Uichico, who continues to instill composure and grit in his young squad.
Despite the loss, CJ Cansino kept Meralco in the fight with a valiant 24-point performance, including a jumper in the last 13 seconds that trimmed the deficit to 85-87 — setting up a tense finish before NLEX ultimately held on.
