PBA: NLEX rallies to overcome debuting San Miguel in OT

NLEX import Thomas Robinson in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES

ANTIPOLO—NLEX stormed back from a 19-point deficit behind the heroics of import Thomas Robinson, Kris Rosales and Kevin Alas to spoil the debut of San Miguel Beer with a 117-113 overtime victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at Ynares Center here.

Robinson scored 42 points, Rosales hit straight threes including the one that sent the game to an extension while Alas made plays on both ends as the Road Warriors prevented the souped-up Beermen a winning start to their season.

“My team showed a lot of character, showed a lot of patience and they didn’t stop playing,” said coach Frankie Lim.

The Road Warriors improved to a 1-1 record, bouncing back from their loss to the Phoenix Fuel Masters despite a huge halftime lead.

Rosales scored 15 of his 19 points in the fourth, and the last of his three straight triples with less than 10 seconds left in regulation evened things up at 105-all.

Rosales ties it at 105, 9.3 4q #PBAAngatAngLaban pic.twitter.com/1ghwTjGHGe

— PBA (@pbaconnect) November 15, 2023

Alas had 18 points, five rebounds and two steals, including one from June Mar Fajardo at the post during a wild sequence and NLEX protecting a two-point lead in overtime.

Robinson also had 20 rebounds after a hard-fought battle down low with Fajardo.

San Miguel fell despite big performances from Terrence Romeo, Fajardo, CJ Perez and import Ivan Aska, who fouled out in the fourth quarter.

Romeo topscored for the Beermen with 28 points off the bench.

The scores:

NLEX 117—Robinson 42, Rosales 19, Alas 18, Rodger 9, Anthony 8, Herndon 8, Nieto 4, Trollano 4, Semerad 4, Marcelo 1, Fajardo 0, Miranda 0.

SAN MIGUEL 113—Romeo 28, Perez 25, Aska 21, Fajardo 22, Ross 6, Enciso 5, Teng 2, Tautuaa 2, Brondial 2, Tautuaa 2, Bulanadi 0.

Quarters: 24-27, 47-62, 74-82, 105-105 (reg), 117-113 (OT).