Asi kicks it old school, leads NLEX drive over Blackwater

ANTIPOLO, Rizal-With a flashback performance worthy of some classic kicks, Asi Taulava led the NLEX Road Warriors over the struggling Blackwater Elite, 104-84, during their skirmish in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday evening at the Ynares Sports Center-Antipolo.

Wearing a low-top pair of Chuck Taylors, Taulava went crazy with 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as his NLEX Road Warriors ended a three-game skid and improved to a 3-4 win-loss slate.

It was in the third quarter that Taulava and his crew showed their mastery as they built a 19-point lead, 68-49, early in the period.

Taulava went on a personal 10-0 sprint scoring on four consecutive layups in transition, with Mark Cardona feeding The Rock down low.

NLEX head coach Boyet Fernandez said they want to keep Taulava as healthy as possible, and keep him away from injury.

“You won’t believe that Asi is 40 years old, he comes to practice early every day and [is] one of the last men to go, ” Fernandez said. “I hope that Asi continues his leadership and his game.”

Taulava gave NLEX a 22-point lead with 4:22 remaining in the third with another three-point play in the paint as he brushed off the dust in his classic low tops.

Fernandez added that his team still has a tough schedule to follow with Rain or Shine and Alaska still waiting for them.

“It’s a tough road for NLEX, we still have a long way to go, but we’re happy we got this one,” he said.

Running with his veteran center, Cardona had 21 points with seven boards and five assists.

Jonas Villanueva added 17 while Aldrech Ramos and Mark Borboran adding 16 and 10.

Ogie Menor led Blackwater with 15 as they fell to their 8th loss in eight games.