NLEX vs Blackwater. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Minus its two best locals, NLEX rose to the occasion with a gutsy win over Blackwater, 93-89, in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Road Warriors, who played without star guards Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas (ACL), outscored the Elite, 16-3, in the final five minutes and 23 seconds to post only their second win in six games.
“We got the lucky breaks in the endgame. It’s a good thing we were able to set aside all the distractions before this game,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao. “We actually felt really bad as a team with the situation of Kiefer. Everybody knows he’s a key player to the team and his suspension has a profound effect on everyone.”
“But our focus is now moving forward or moving on without Kiefer for the meantime and just keeping ourselves in the race. This win kinda puts a little hope in our quest for at least a chance at the quarterfinals,” he added.
NLEX held Blackwater, who remained winless at 0-7, to without a field goal during its frenetic run.
Arnett Moultrie redeemed himself with 26 points, 15 rebounds and five assists while Alex Mallari and Juami Tiongson, who dished out 10 of the Road Warriors’ 35 assists, added 10 points each.
Mallari shone on both ends down the stretch and his steal and three-point play finish sealed the game with 9.7 seconds left.
Henry Walker struggled mightily in his return for the Elite. He started the game 0-of-6 from the field and finished with only 12 points on 2-of-15 shooting with 15 rebounds and five steals.
Blackwater blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter and missed their last 10 shots from the field.
Ravena, who got an 18-month suspension from Fiba after testing positive for prohibited substances in the World Anti-Doping Agency List, came and supported his teammates at courtside.