MANILA, Philippines—Olu Ashaolu may have had an early season debut but that didn’t become an issue as he helped NLEX to the 100-97 victory against Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-5 Ashaolu is the Road Warriors’ import for the Governors’ Cup but was given the role for the remainder of the second conference replacing Tony Mitchell after NLEX went 1-5 during his tenure.
NLEX, which improved to a 2-7 card, is already out of playoff contention and Ashaolu’s early arrival this season is meant as a preparatory stage for him heading to the third conference.
Ashaolu last played for NLEX in the 2018 Governors’ Cup and his return was immediately a game of nail-biting proportions.
Kenneth Ighalo’s two consecutive three-pointers gave the Road Warriors a 92-82 lead with 4:35 left in the game but the Elasto Painters were able to cut it down to just one, 98-97, after Kris Rosales’ quick triple capped off Rain or Shine’s 15-6 run with 33.6 seconds left.
Poy Erram, however, rose to the occasion and blocked Denzel Bowles’ layup and the rebound went to Ashaolu who drilled the game’s final two free throws with 4.3 seconds to play.