Al Thornton of NLEX (dark) vs David Semerad and Denok Miranda of Globalport (light). PBA Images/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — NLEX cruised past Globalport, 94-81, for its franchise-best fourth straight win in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Road Warriors improved above the .500 mark at 5-4 for the first time this conference after a 1-4 start.
“We won this game due to the fact that Globalport had one guy injured. But still I give credit Globalport for making this game difficult for us,” NLEX head coach Boyet Fernandez.
Top overall pick Stanley Pringle missed the game for the Batang Pier, who dropped their second game in a row, due to a sprained ankle.
“I told my boys for sure with Al (Thornton) scoring 50 points last game Globalport will double him and now is the time to step up,” said Fernandez.
With Globalport’s defensive game plan centered on slowing down Thornton, NLEX swingman Niño Canaleta had a field day and fired a personal season-high 29 points built on 6-of-10 shooting from the three-point area. He went 11-of-16 from the field overall.
Import Al Thornton had 19 points and 10 rebounds four days after scoring a season-high 50 points in a 96-90 win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Canaleta shot 14 points in the fourth quarter alone while Thornton scored 10 in the third period where the Road Warriors took a 65-53.
NLEX’s lead swelled to 16 after a breakaway dunk by Thornton, 84-68, with 4:37 left. Canaleta’s final 3-pointer put the game out of reach, 89-74, with only 1:58 remaining.
Globalport import Derrick Caracter posted 27 points and 14 rebounds in his PBA debut. Caracter replaced Calvin Warner, who had to leave due to a personal matter.