The streak continued for NLEX after stretching its winning run to four against Magnolia in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
NLEX did not look like it was coming off a lengthy layoff after it dumped Magnolia, 87-74, in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Saturday, April 6.
Everything just clicked for the Road Warriors, who extended their win streak to four to improve to a 5-1 slate.
The Hotshots, runner-up in the Commissioner's Cup two months ago, absorbed their second straight loss after a rousing opening triumph against the beleaguered Converge.
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But before cruising to the victory, NLEX, which was coming off a more than three-week break, had to douse a couple of runs from Magnolia.
"Our defense did well against their small guys. I just felt that all the practices we had in the past did us well tonight," said Road Warriors coach Frankie Lim.
After Jake Pascual’s basket gave NLEX a comfortable 24-point cushion with 11:05 left in the fourth period, the Hotshots went on a 8-0 run highlighted by Paul Lee’s booming triple, 71-55.
But Anthony Semerad stopped the bleeding for the Road Warriors with back-to-back baskets, the last was a layup on the break for a 77-55 lead at the 6:38 mark.
But NLEX just couldn’t put away Magnolia easily.
The Hotshots managed to trim the gap to 15 on a mini 7-0 run capped by Mark Barroca’s triple, 77-62, with still a little over five minutes to go.
Quiet offensively for most of the way, Baser Amer responded with a three-pointer of his own in the face of Jio Jalalon’s pesky defense to put NLEX back on track.
Everything just went downhill for the Hotshots from there.
Robert Bolick spearheaded NLEX’s attack with 26 points, three rebounds, and nine assists, while Semerad put up 22 points and 10 rebounds he laced with an assist and two steals.
With its top guards struggling mightily, Magnolia leaned on Ian Sangalang, who ended up with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Sparingly-used Russel Escoto also came up big with 13 points built on two triples, while Mark Barroca dropped six of his 10 points in the payoff period.
The Scores:
NLEX 87 – Bolick 26, Semerad 22, Herndon 9, Miranda 6, Amer 6, Fajardo 6, Nieto 6, Pasucal 3, Nermal 2, Rodger 0, Marcelo 1, Anthony 0, Valdez 0
MAGNOLIA 74 – Escoto 13, Sanagalang 13, Barroca 10, Laput 8, Jalalon 6, Corpuz 5, Lee 5, Mendoza 5, Ahanmisi 4, Eriobu 3, Reavis 0, Murrell 0
Quarterscores: 26-12, 37-27, 67-47, 87-74