RAYMOND Almazan of Rain or Shine misses a slam as NLEX’s Glenn Khobuntin foils him from behind. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
SEAN Anthony erupted for 37 points and powered the NLEX Road Warriors to a come-from-behind 111-106 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last night in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The high-energy wingman banked in a floater with 21.7 seconds left and finished the job with a three-point play in the final sequence as the Road Warriors foiled the bid of the Elasto Painters to end the elimination round armed with the top seeding and an outright semifinal spot.
Out of the running for a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals, the Road Warriors played the ultimate spoiler’s role and gave the Alaska Aces and the San Miguel Beermen free rides to the semifinals after both teams wound up with identical 9-2 records.
“This win will provide a positive outlook for us going into the quarters,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. “Games will more tougher in the playoffs and we’ll have to take it one game at a time.”
Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel bullied the Barako Bull Energy in the other game, lifting the Aces to a 108-100 win earlier.
Abueva went berserk on the floor with 22 points and 13 rebounds while Manuel got away with 13 of his 21 points during Alaska’s blitz in the third quarter when the Aces gained momentum.
The Aces snatched the No. 1 seat following the Rain or Shine defeat while the Beermen ranked second.
As for the Elasto Painters, who ended up third at 8-3, they will have to go through the quarterfinals with a twice-to-beat edge either against Blackwater or Mahindra.
Winding up at No. 7 with five wins and six losses, the Road Warriors will move to the next round versus the winner between the TNT Tropang Texters and the Barangay Ginebra Kings in today’s double header at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Energy wound up with a 5-6 record, good for eighth place and fell short of the twice-to-beat advantage rewarded to teams ranked from third to sixth.
The scores:
First Game
ALASKA 108—Abueva 22, Manuel 21, Baguio 11, Jazul 11, Thoss 11, Casio 9, Hontiveros 8, Banchero 7, Baclao 4, Dela Cruz 4, Dela Rosa 0, Exciminiano 0, Menk 0.
BARAKO 100—Wilson 23, Intal 15, Lanete 14, Urbiztondo 13, Monfort 12, Fortuna 10, Brondial 7, Miranda 3, Pennisi 3, Baracael 0, Forrester 0.
Quarters: 23-30, 50-48, 82-70, 108-100
Second Game
NLEX 111—Anthony 37, Taulava 15, J. Villanueva 14, Cardona 11, Alas 9, Lanete 7, Enciso 6, Reyes 6, Villanueva E. 6, Borboran 0, Khobuntin 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 106—Belga 18, Chan 15, Ponferada 13, Tiu 11, Almazan 10, Cruz 9, Nimes 9, Quinahan 6, Ahanmisi 5, Norwood 5, Teng 3, Matias 2, Trollano 0.
Quarters: 33-32, 56-61, 83-88, 111-106