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Friday, March 29, 2024

NLEX stuns Meralco

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In a tale of two halves, NLEX, went on to own the half that mattered as it turned things around in the final 24 minutes to deal sister team Meralco another loss, 104-99, and improve its mark in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Al Thornton found his scoring touch back, exploding with a game-high 38 points, on 13-of-20 shooting, with 12 rebounds for a double-double to lead NLEX’s comeback victory.

Sean Anthony of NLEX (no. 10) goes for an undergoal basket against John Ferriols (no. 22) of Meralco

Trailing for the entire first half and by 12 early in the third, NLEX rediscovered its its rhythm and orchestrated a stunning 31-17 run to end the period and snatch the lead, 81-79, heading the fourth.

The Road Warriors improved their record to 3-3 in a four-way tie with three other teams for spots 4 to 7 while the erstwhile front-running Bolts fell to 5-2 and at second place after this second straight defeat following a 5-0 start.

With all the momentum and confidence, the Road Warriors followed through in the fourth, building their own twin-digit lead that peaked at 12 points, 95-83, with 6:33 left after a bucket from Taulava to grasp full control.

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The Bolts fought back and had a rally of their own, an 18-4 run in the next five minutes capped by an Anjo Caram jumper to inch within three, 96-99, with just over a minute left.

But Simon Enciso shattered any hope that Meralco had when he countered with a triple on the other end for NLEX to give the Road Warriors the needed distance to escape, making it 102-96 with just seconds on the clock.

“It’s our defense that gave us this win. The players committed to playing defense in the second half,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. “We’re really happy we got this win.”

Meralco had the upperhand for most of the first half, even holding an eight-point lead late in the second however, NLEX managed to remain within striking distance before getting its act together in the second half.

The Bolts, after an Arinze Onuaku throwdown late in the first half carried a 57-50 lead at halftime.

Then, a swift 5-0 run to open the second half was manufactured by Meralco as it grew its lead to double-figures, 62-50, following John Ferriol’s jumper around the 10-minute mark of the third.

That proved to be the Bolts’ last taste of control as the Road Warriors turned the tides completely in their favor from that point forward as they dominated the second half en route to the victory.

The scores: 

NLEX 104—Thornton 38, Lanete 14, Alas 10, Anthony 9, Taulava 8, Khobuntin 7, Villanueva E. 7, Enciso 6, Villanueva J. 3, Reyes 2, Borboran 0, Arboleda H. 0.

MERALCO 99—Onuaku 16, Amer 14, Dillinger 14, Alapag 11, Ferriols 10, Newsome 10, Faundo 8, Hugnatan 8, Hodge 4, Bono 2, Caram 2, Buenafe Ronjay 0, David 0.

Quarters: 24-31, 50-57, 81-79, 104-99.

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