The NLEX Road Warriors turned to their free-throw shooting to repulse a tired Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 109-100, in overtime Friday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
With Henri Walker out on his sixth foul, Kevin Alas sank two of four charities that allowed the Road Warriors to move out of range and post their seventh in 10 games.
As the Road Warriors took a 101-97 edge off Alas’ freebies, KJ McDaniel added two more charities off Leonardo Santillan’s foul to hand the Road Warriors a six-point spread at 103-97.
A steal by Jericho Cruz and a floater from JR Quinahan widened the Road Warriors’ edge by 12, 109-97 in the last 1:56 of the extra period.
“For a while, we had no solution to Henri Walker and Rey Nambatac. Pinahirapan nila kami hanggang sa overtime. Then, they got a little tired. Si Walker, nagpa-foul nang inatake namin siya,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.
The Road Warriors, who were behind by as much as 22 points in the third quarter, 32-54, drew 35 points and 12 rebounds from McDaniels, while Alas had 15.
The Road Warriors are seeking one more win in their last elimination round game against Barangay Ginebra next Friday to earn a place within the top four, which carries with it a win-once advantage in the quarterfinals.
McDaniels’ floater with nine ticks left in regulation allowed the Road Warriors to force the extra period at 97-all.
Nambatac, who had a 27-point effort, nearly won it for the Painters but he missed a jumper in the last four seconds of regulation.