Bolick, NLEX survive fiery Ginebra comeback for 4th straight win

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Robert Bolick and NLEX waste a 17-point lead but pull through in the endgame to send Barangay Ginebra to another deflating loss

MANILA, Philippines – When the going got tough, the NLEX Road Warriors leaned on Robert Bolick to bail them out.

And Bolick delivered as usual, hitting big shots down the stretch as NLEX weathered the Barangay Ginebra storm and hacked out an 89-86 win in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, May 7.

The reigning scoring champion dropped 9 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, including the marginal free throws with under 10 seconds remaining, to propel the Road Warriors to their fourth straight victory.

“Big shots, wanted the ball. That is why you need a Berto in your team when things are not going well,” said NLEX head coach Jong Uichico.

“When it comes to competition and winning time, Berto is always there to step up.”

The Gin Kings got buried by as deep as 43-60 before they hit their stride behind the heroics of Stephen Holt and Scottie Thompson, who outscored the entire Road Warriors in the final frame.

Holt scattered 18 of his 21 points in the quarter, while Thompson recorded 9 of his 20 points in the period, including a scoop shot with 1:15 minutes left that put Ginebra in front at 86-84.

But NLEX regained the upper hand off a Xyrus Torres triple, 87-86, although the rookie failed to extend the Road Warriors’ lead as he missed two crucial free throws with under 15 seconds remaining.

Fortunately for NLEX, it retained the possession after Ginebra forward Japeth Aguilar touched the ball out of bounds, setting up two foul shots that Bolick knocked in for the win.

Bolick tipped his hat to his teammates for gutting it out against a battle-tested Gin Kings side that reached the finals of the first two conferences this season.

“We stuck through it. They led but we were still there,” said Bolick, who also finished with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. “I played great but it was just not me who won the game for the team.”

Torres tallied 11 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds, Brandon Ramirez chalked up 11 points and 5 rebounds, while Kevin Alas added 10 points in the win.

Javee Mocon contributed 8 points and 6 rebounds for the Road Warriors, who have not lost since they absorbed a conference-opening defeat to San Miguel.

Ginebra entered the last salvo trailing 53-67 before Holt found his touch as he went 4-of-5 from three-point land and drained the free throw that gave the Gin Kings an 82-81 lead — their first since since the second quarter.

Thompson padded that lead to 84-81, but NLEX closed the game on an 8-2 run.

Jamie Malonzo and RJ Abarrientos each had 11 points for Ginebra, which fell to 2-2 as it has yet to win consecutive games this conference.

The Scores

NLEX 89 – Bolick 28, Torres 11, Ramirez 11, Alas 10, Mocon 8, Bahio 6, Semerad 6, Fajardo 5, Rodger 2, Policarpio 2, Nieto 0.

Barangay Ginebra 86 – Holt 21, Thompson 20, Malonzo 11, Abarrientos 11, Rosario 8, J.Aguilar 7, Adamos 6, Pinto 2, Cu 0, David 0, Mariano 0.

Quarters: 13-23, 37-36, 67-53, 89-86.

– Rappler.com