Robbie Celiz (light/blackwater) vs Byron Villariaz and Jake Pascual PBA IMAGE / Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines – Byron Villarias keyed in a pivotal NLEX run in the third quarter to help the Road Warriors beat Blackwater Sports 81-73 for their sixth straight win Monday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Villarias sank two triples as part of NLEX’s 11-0 surge that put them up by 10, 60-50, late in the third period – a run that gave the Road Warriors enough room to hold off the Elite in the last period.
The defending champions flaunted their usual offensive firepower but their defense also played its part in preventing the Elite, whose five-game winning run came to an end, from seizing an outright semifinals berth.
“I thought we executed our game plan perfectly, but the key was our defense,” said NLEX assistant coach Adonis Tierra, who filled in for head coach Boyet Fernandez. “The guys played aggressive defense that enabled us to achieve our target of holding Blackwater below 80 points.”
Former San Beda star Garvo Lanete led NLEX, which never trailed again after building a 10-point cushion, with 17 points. Nico Salva added 16 while Villarias finished with 12 points, all coming in the second half and from long distance.
The win strengthened the Road Warriors’ chances of earning an automatic semis berth as they maintained their position at the second spot with a 6-2 mark, only half a game behind the league-leading Elite.
Allan Mangahas paced Blackwater with 17 while Justine Chua contributed 15.
The scores:
NLEX 81 – Lanete 17, Salva 16, Alas 13, Villarias 12, CAmson 10, Ganuelas 4, Pascual J. 4, Hermida 2, Garcia 2, Long 1, Pascual R. 0.
Bklackwater Sports 73 – Mangahas A. 17, Chua 15, Llagas 9, Ferrer 8, Ciriacruz 8, Celiz 8, Vigil 2, Mangahas J. 2, Suguitan 2, Pe 1, Austria 1, Bagatsing 0.
Quarters: 19-20; 35-32; 62-58; 81-73