NLEX holds off much-improved Columbian for first win

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

NLEX opened up with an avalanche of points in the first period on Sunday and used that as a cushion to upend hard-fighting Columbian, 107-97, and notch a first win in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The Road Warriors dropped 39 points in the opening frame and led by as large as 31 in the first half, a balloon so formidable the Dyip spent the rest of the game trying to burst in vain.

It was the first victory after three straight losses for the Road Warriors, while the Dyip dropped to back to .500 at 2-2.

Columbian made a game out of it in the third period by scoring 36 and holding the Road Warriors to 17, and the Dyip came within five points in the process only to lose steam and eventually go down.