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NLEX routs Terrafirma to register second win of the conference
The NLEX Road Warriors dominated the Terrafirma Dyip, 104-85, to earn their second win in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Tuesday, December 3, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
From the get go until the very end, NLEX never let go of the lead that even reached the high of 25.
Robert Bolick led the Road Warriors with his 32 points, five assists, and four rebounds on 78.6 (11/14) percent shooting from the field, 2-of-2 from the four-point line, and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
Import Mike Watkins backed-up Bolick with his monster double-double of 26 markers and 30 boards, to go along with four blocks and three dishes.
Two more players scored in double digits with Xyrus Torres contributing 15, and Anthony Semerad adding 13.
NLEX also dominated the paint, 52-34, which became a big factor in getting their second straight win after losing their opening game of the mid-season conference.
Coach Jong Uichico’s wards might have won the game but the nine-time PBA champion mentor was not completely satisfied with the results as they played an opponent who played all-Filipino in the entire second half.
Photo Courtesy: PBA
"Why do they have to weather the storm? We were already in control of the game, why do they have to put themselves in that situation?" Uichico said.
"We gave up 55 points in the second half so we put ourselves in that situation. It's good, yes, that they weathered the storm. But there shouldn't have been a storm," he added.
Uichico also stressed that they can't play that kind of game when they meet San Miguel and Ginebra on their next assignments.
"Because we will be playing San Miguel Beer and Ginebra in the next games. We can probably get away with some mistakes (against some teams), but we can't get away with those mistakes if you play San Miguel and Ginebra," Uichico concluded.
Meanwhile, Vic Manuel already flexed his muscles in his second game wearing the Terrafirma jersey as he produced 22 points, five rebounds, and an assist in a losing effort.
Manuel was supported by Kevin Ferrer and Aljun Melecio who both have 10 markers each, while Stanley Pringle added nine.
Dyip's reinforcement Ryan Richards who only played a little bit over 17 minutes in the first half, just notched six points on 2-of-10 shooting from the field and grabbed seven rebounds.
Richards was reportedly being bothered by back issues. In their last game against NorthPort, the 6'11" British-Jamaican only played one second in the game.
The loss gave Terrafirma their third straight defeats in as many games played.
The Scores:
NLEX 104 - Bolick 32, Watkins 26, Torres 15, Semerad 13, Rodger 7, Herndon 3, Bahio 2, Fajardo 2, Valdez 2, Alas 2, Mocon 0, Amer 0, Marcelo 0.
TERRAFIRMA 85 - Manuel 22, Melecio 10, Ferrer 10, Pringle 9, Zaldivar 7, Nonoy 6, Richards 6, Sangalang 5, Olivario 3, Catapusan 3, Hernandez 2, Paraiso 2, Ramos 0, Hanapi 0.
Quarter Scores: 27-11, 51-30, 75-62, 104-85.
