The Road Warriors now need to win their final elimination round game against defending champion Ginebra to get a real shot at the next round.
The NLEX Road Warriors nearly squandered a double-digit lead but did just enough to hack out a close 107-103 win over the Converge FiberXers in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at the Big Dome.
Despite being too close for comfort against the also-ran FiberXers, Road Warriors nevertheless stay in the hunt for the final playoff berth, as they are now tie idle TNT for 8th with identical 4-6 win-loss records.
DeAndre Williams Baldwin made his PBA debut for NLEX and finished with 22 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, but fouled out with under a minute left in the game.
But rookie Richie Rodger stepped up and drilled an elbow jumper off a downscreen for a 107-102 cushion with 39 seconds remaining, and the Road Warrios went on to spoil a PBA career-high 50 points from Converge import Jamil Wilson.
Newbie Enoch Valdez, who finished with 19 points, was also a bright spot for NLEX, hitting back-to-back three-pointers that gave NLEX a 98-88 lead inside the last six minutes of action.
But Wilson almost single-handedly willed the FiberXers back, making a living out of turnaround jumpers from the left elbow. His last basket allowed Converge to come to within three, 102-105.
His efforts proved futile though, as NLEX went on to claim the much-needed win and set up the Road Warriors for their final elimination round game against defending champion Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel on Saturday, which is also a must-win.
Robert Bolick added 15 points and 11 assists for the Road Warriors, while Sean Anthony had a solid outing of 14 points to go with four assists.
“It’s a huge win. We’re fighting for our lives,” said Anthony after the match.
Apart from Wilson, Justin Arana also finished in double figures for the FiberXers with 19 points. However, he struggled from the line, only going for 7-of-13 from the stripe.