NLEX guard Garvo Lanete shoots past his defender, Blackwater point guard Allan Mangahas, in their skirmish at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao Tuesday
MANILA, Philippines — NLEX overcame a slow start to beat retooled Blackwater, 102-84, in an early matchup of tournament favorites in the 2014 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Tuesday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
The Road Warriors were a step slow early before hitting their usual stride in the fourth quarter that left the Elite behind thanks to a blistering 18-4 run.
“The players were relaxed at the start and I said during halftime we cannot win if we give them 48 points in a half,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.
“Happy we got the win against a very very very strong team like Blackwater. We’re excited to get this win, they say Blackwater is the team who can matchup with NLEX.”
It appeared to be the case through three quarters as the Elite, who led by as much as 10 in the first quarter, were just down by two entering the fourth quarter.
But it was all NLEX in the final frame behind their running game and unpredictable offense.
Garvo Lanete found his touch in the third quarter with 13 of his game-high 19 points coming in that period alone while Art dela Cruz scored eight of his 10 in the fourth quarter to anchor NLEX’s charge.
Jake Pascual had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Road Warriors, who had to scrape past a highly-physical game that saw a slew of technical fouls and a couple of flagrant fouls.
Blackwater center Gilbert Bulawan got caught hitting Ola Adeogun with an elbow at the back of the head and was called for a flagrant foul 1 at the 2:55 mark of the final frame. Not long after, Reil Cervantes also took a shot at Adeogun with a more forceful blow on an elbow that sent him out of the court with a flagrant foul 2 55 seconds later.
“I hope the referees would take a look at it because every time he plays he gets punched or hit. I’m not really asking for favors. I just want to know if it’s a clear physcality and if it is it’s okay,” Fernandez said, who also claimed Adeogun got punched by Blackwater big man Pari Llagas.
Cervantes and Bulawan paced the defending champion Elite with 15 points each.
Fernandez also offered to time table when two-time UAAP MVP Ray Parks will be making his debut with the team.
“It’s Bobby Ray’s decision on when he will decide to play for us.”
Parks, the versatile six-foot-three forward, gives NLEX another legitimate scoring threat but based from this game, the Road Warriors won’t need his services just yet.