PBA D-League: NLEX survives Blackwater 70-68

Kevin Ferrer vs Ronald Pascual. PBA D-LEAGUE/Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — NLEX squeaked past Blackwater Sports 70-68 Thursday and survived another thriller in the 2012 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Ronald Pascual scored 12 points and RR Garcia added 11 for the Road Warriors, but it was their defensive effort that won the game for them to improve 8-1 and still on top of the standings.

NLEX trailed 58-60 entering the fourth, but a three-point play from Baser Amer swung to lead to the Road Warriors’ favor for good.

But it was the defending champions’ defense that held up throughout, as they held the Elite to just 5 of 17 shooting in the payoff period.

Blackwater Sports’ first field goal of the period, a 3-pointer by Kevin Ferrer, came with 29 seconds left and the Road Warriors up 70-64.

Karim Abdul and Ferrer each scored 13 points for Blackwater Sports, who fell to 4-2 in tied with Cafe France, Big Chill and Cagayan Valley at second spot.

The scores:

NLEX 70 – Pascual 12, Garcia 11, Salva 9, Slaughter 7, Long 7, Pascual J 6, Hermida 4, Camson 4, Sumalinog 3, Lanete 2, Alas 1, Sanggalang 1, Ganuelas 0.

Blackwater Sports 68 – Abdul 13, Ferrer 13, Chua 9, Ciriacruz G. 8, Ilagas 7, Fortuna 5, Mazo 4, Celiz 4, Bagatsing 3, Mangahas 2.

Quarters:12-10; 31-28; 52-52; 70-68