NLEX Edges Brgy. Ginebra, RoS Rallies Past Blackwater

NLEX survived a furious comeback from Barangay Ginebra to notch its fourth consecutive victory, 89-86, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Road Warriors led by as much as 17 points before the Gin Kings clawed their way back, seizing an 82-81 lead with just over two minutes remaining after a split at the line by rookie Stephen Holt.

Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson kept the pressure on late, but Xyrus Torres answered with the game’s biggest shot — a clutch triple that reclaimed the lead and redeemed his earlier turnover.

Torres missed two crucial free throws after being fouled on the next possession, but Ginebra failed to capitalize, missing a shot and losing possession.

Veteran guard Robert Bolick then iced the game at the line, calmly sinking two free throws to finalize the score.

Bolick finished with a game-high 28 points on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from deep, and was named Best Player of the Game.

Torres and Brandom Ramirez each added 11 points, while Kevin Alas chipped in 10.

Holt paced Ginebra with 21 points, and Thompson added 20 in a valiant but unsuccessful effort.

Thompson had a last-second chance to send the game into overtime but missed a contested three-pointer as the final buzzer sounded.

In the nightcap, Rain or Shine mounted an 18-4 closing run to break away from Blackwater, 120-106, and climb to a 3-2 record in the ongoing All-Filipino conference.

With the game tied at 102, the Elasto Painters unleashed a decisive rally, led by Adrian Nocum, Caelan Tiongson, Keith Datu and Santi Santillan, to seal the win.

Blackwater was limited to just four points in the last six minutes after keeping pace in the first three quarters.

“It’s a testimony to the patience of the guys and not folding up despite the torrid shooting of Blackwater,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao.

Guiao credited Datu for helping the team stay in contention before their late surge, revealing that the big man played through injury.

“We stayed in the game because of Keith Datu,” Guiao added.

Datu top-scored for the Elasto Painters with 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting and eight rebounds.

Nocum followed with 23 points and four boards, while Tiongson contributed 14.

Gian Mamuyac and Andrei Caracut scored 11 each, while Jhonard Clarito and Santillan added 10 apiece.

Christian David carried Blackwater with a game-high 28 points and eight rebounds, while Sedrick Barefield added 23.

Rain or Shine now prepares for a high-stakes clash against unbeaten Magnolia on May 18.

Blackwater, which dropped to a 1-4 slate, looks to regroup before facing Meralco on May 21.