Taulava fuels NLEX victory

GLOBALPORT’S Jewel Ponferada swats the ball from Rico Villanueva of NLEX in last night’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Age still hasn’t slowed down 41-year-old Asi Taulava.

The league’s oldest player this season took over for NLEX at the crunch, scoring 12 of his 21 points in the fourth period of a come-from-behind 101-96 decision of Globalport last night in the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Taulava, a former MVP, gobbled up every single coverage thrown at him when winning time came as the Road Warriors—the league’s third newcomer this season—came roaring back from nine points down with less than six minutes left to pound out the win.

“It’s the preparation I had for this season. I wanted to build on what I did last season so I can help NLEX win,” Taulava said after also collaring down eight rebounds and making 13-of-17 free throws in a 30-minute stint.

NLEX thus joined opening day winners Barangay Ginebra and KIA Motors in the win column.

The Road Warriors won even as head coach Boyet Fernandez sat behind the bench. Adonis Tierra called the shots with Fernandez still awaiting the conclusion of the NCAA Finals between his San Beda Red Lions and Arellano.

The loss was a painful one to take for the Batang Pier, who led by as many as 10 in the second quarter behind talented guards Alex Cabagnot, Terrence Romeo and No. 1 Draft pick Stanley Pringle.

Cabagnot had four triples on the way to 22 first half points, before the NLEX defense shut him down to just a free throw in the final two quarters. The veteran all-star also had a key blunder with under 10 seconds left, when he was called for a traveling violation that kept the Batang Pier from biting into a three-point deficit.

Romeo finished with 33 points in 38 minutes. Pringle had a respectable debut, but one that was a far cry from his dominant pre-season. He scored 14 points, had five rebounds, five assists, three steals and three turnovers.

The scores:

First Game

NLEX 101—Taulava 21, Cardona 20, Ramos 16, Villanueva 11, Borboran 9, Canaleta 8, Villanueva 8, Raymundo 5, Camson 2, Villarias 1, Poligrates 0, Apinan 0, Baloria 0.

GLOBALPORT 96—Romeo 33, Cabagnot 23, Pringle 14, Buenafe 6, Nabong 6, De Ocampo 6, Baclao 4, Isip 2, Jensen 2, Taha 0, Duncil 0, Ponferada 0, Cabrera 0.

Quarters: 25-29, 47-53, 70-76, 101-96