Road Warriors hold off Bakers’ challenge

ANTIPOLO—Pushed to the limit for the first time in the tournament, NLEX proved more than equal to the challenge as it repulsed Café France, 66-60, yesterday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.

Playing catch-up for most of the first three periods, the Road Warriors produced a solid performance in the final quarter to secure their fourth straight victory at the Ynares Center.

Cliff Hodge, Calvin Abueva, Chris Ellis and Eman Monfort drilled in crucial baskets as the Road Warriors climbed their way back from a seven-point deficit in the fourth period to thwart the Bakers.

Hodge finished with 14 points, nine in the final period, that went with 14 rebounds while Ellis pumped in 12 points and grabbed eight boards.  Abueva bucked a hamstring injury to finish with eight points.

Later, Boracay Rum stifled Junior Powerade’s attack in the final three minutes to forge a come-from-behind 64-60 win.

The Waves held Junior Powerade without a field goal in the final three minutes to erase a nine-point lead and register their first win in four outings while pinning a second loss on the Tigers.

PBA draftee Ken Acibar dished out his best game so far with the Waves, finishing with 17 points, including back-to-back baskets that pushed the lead, 60-57, heading into the final minute.

The Road Warriors proved superb on the defensive end, choking the Bakers when it mattered. Mike Parala and Jon Semira missed contested triples in the last 15 seconds, hastening the Bakers’ defeat.

Cafe France fell to 1-3, but NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez was impressed at the way the Bakers gave his team a stern test.

“I have to give credit to Café France. They gave us a scare,” said Fernandez, who will miss the services of Abueva and Ian Sangalang at least in the next two weeks as the duo leaves for the United States for training with their NCAA team San Sebastian.

“But we played well defensively in the fourth quarter and that was really the key for us.”

The Bakers flirted with an upset, taking a 49-42 lead heading into the last nine minutes after a triple from Jonathan Semira. But the Road Warriors went on an 18-4 tear during a six-minute stretch to seize control.

Playing with more urgency, Hodge completed a three-point play, Abueva scored on a short stab and Eman Monfort nailed a triple as the Road Warriors built a 60-53 lead.

The Bakers last threatened 60-62 after a running shot from Jens Knuttel with a minute remaining. Abueva grabbed two crucial rebounds and atoned for his two missed free throws that could have iced the win earlier by hitting a pair with 13 seconds remaining to wrap up the win, 64-60.

The scores:

First Game
NLEX 66—Hodge 14, Ellis 12, Long 8, Monfort 8, Abueva 8, Arao 6, Hermida 4, Lanete 3, Marcelo 3, Suguitan 0, Belencion 0, Dehesa 0, Sangalang 0.
CAFÉ FRANCE 60—Parala 16, Semira 13, Knuttel 12, Nimes 9, Magat 4, Mabayo 3, Orbeta 2, Magbitang 1, Ighalo 0, Gallardo 0, Guillen 0.
Quarters: 13-6, 27-25, 40-45, 66-60

Second Game
BORACAY RUM 64—Acibar 17, Bandaying 12, Rosopa 12, Abaya 6, Sabellina 5, Hermosisima 4, Siruma 3, Cornejo 3, Foronda 2, Eguilos 0, Terso 0.
JR POWERADE 60—Silungan 17, Lopez 9, Escueta 9, Padilla 8, Cubo 6, Juruena 4, Hipolito 2, Wong 0, Gingerich 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 15-18, 29-24, 40-43, 64-60