NLEX’s Don Trollano. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–NLEX starved a disgruntled enemy early on Friday and then hit the shots it wanted as the game plodded along to destroy Blackwater, 98-68, in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Road Warriors held the Bossing to just two points in the opening frame and then met little resistance in the next three periods to get back at .500 and move farther away from the fringes of the Top 8.
“We had intense preparations for Blackwater. Really serious preparations … They’re now a different team from how they were a year ago,” said coach Yeng Guiao, whose charges improved to 5-5 and No. 7 in the race.
“(The preparations) have been out of desperation as well. We’ve been losing back-to-back games and we wanted to get back on our feet. So it was also survival. Also, we hope to make the next round,” he added.
Don Trollano starred for NLEX anew, putting up 16 points and showing the way as Kevin Alas sat the game out due to a hamstring issue.
Calvin Oftana added 15 while three more finished in double-digit scores for the Road Warriors who brace for what Guiao regarded as a must-win duel against NorthPort.
Blackwater, meanwhile, had no player finishing in twin figures. Yousef Taha had the most for the Bossing with nine points, as the club suffered their third straight loss to slide to 5-4.
The Scores:
NLEX 98 – Trollano 16, Oftana 15, Quiñahan 12, Chua 11, Rosales 10, Soyud 6, Nieto 6, Semerad 6, Varilla 5, Ighalo 4, Paniamogan 4, Fonacier 3, Magat 0.
Blackwater 68 – Taha 9, Ular 8, Amer 8, McCarthy 6, Casio 6, Dyke 6, Eboña 6, Publico 5, Melton 3, Sena 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 3, Escoto 3, Torralba 2, Suerte 0, Ayonayon 0.
Quarters: 31-2, 56-26, 78-40, 98-68.