PBA: Xyrus Torres learning to deal with pressure as key cog for NLEX

NLEX Road Warriors’ Xyrus Torres during the PBA Philippine Cup game against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Xyrus Torres did a little bit of everything in NLEX’s heart-stopping win over Ginebra in the PBA Philippine Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday night.

READ: PBA: NLEX thwarts Ginebra comeback to push streak

A little bit of everything doesn’t necessarily mean stuffing the stat sheet. A little bit of everything also means some good and bad moments.

Torres was a fundamental part of the Road Warriors’ end game in their 89-86 victory over the Gin Kings but he didn’t do it without some mistakes.

Robert Bolick, though, encouraged him to play clutch in the dying seconds of the game.

READ: PBA: Xyrus Torres’ breakout game powers NLEX past Rain or Shine

“He was down because he missed some free throws but I told him, it’s okay because it’s part of being a rookie,” said Bolick.

“He’ll learn, but at the end of the day, I told him if you’re open, shoot it. That was a big shot, he sank it from the corner and I’m so proud of him and my teammates.”

NLEX Road Warriors’ Robert Bolick against Barangay Ginebra defenders during a PBA Philippine Cup game. –PBA IMAGES

NLEX was ahead, 87-86, with 11 seconds to go before the Gin Kings fouled Torres and sent him to the line.

The rookie out of Far Eastern University, however, missed both his freebies that kept the door open for Ginebra.

But it was Torres who pushed the Road Warriors to the driver’s seat with a clutch triple in the with 49 seconds left to give NLEX the slim advantage.

In the end, Torres finished with an all-around game of 11 points, four assists and three rebounds in 22 minutes of action.

Even coach Jong Uichico had to laud his young gun after showing nerves of steel despite being a newcomer in the league.

“Of course, the pressure still gets to them so we should give them that leeway to be able to deal with that type of pressure and give them that confidence,” said the top coach.

“Xyrus delivered with that big three-point shot. He was wide open and he had full confidence for it. That’s what we want, for him to have high confidence to shoot,” he added further.

NLEX now stands at 4-1 in the standings and is looking to keep its winning ways on Wednesday next week when the Road Warriors face Terrafirma at the same venue.