Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With NLEX losing on another heartbreaker on Friday, this time a 105-103 loss to Star, Wayne Chism believes that his side is just a break away from nabbing that elusive victory.
“We’re getting closer in getting the win. I believe we could crawl up the mountain and make a big splash,” said the import.
And Chism has every reason to feel optimistic, especially with the Road Warriors finally showing some fight with a stupendous showing in the second half.
READ: Jalalon lifts Star at the buzzer
Facing a 21-point deficit, 51-30, in the second frame, NLEX crawled its way back with a huge 40-point third quarter burst which set up the frantic fourth quarter.
It even had a chance to steal the game, but Rabeh Al-Hussaini’s hook in the final 21 seconds rimmed out, giving one last chance for Star in which Jio Jalalon bravely cashed in at the buzzer.
“Had we taken it into overtime, we could have pulled it off,” Chism said said.
READ: No trades as ‘ballboys’ offered for NLEX players, says Guiao
The former Best Import awardee, poured 33 points, 15 coming in the second half, on top of 19 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in the loss.
“We had a troubled first half. We were pushing a little bit too hard, they were pressuring us too hard, and we’re just forcing turnovers on our own mistakes. But coach gave us a good compliment of words in the locker room. In the second half, we fought and we fought until the very end,” he said.
NLEX will next face sister team TNT next Friday.