MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors leaned on its free throw accuracy and endgame defense to escape with an 87-83 win over Meralco Bolts in the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup last night at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
With the score tied at 83-all after a triple by Bolts’ Ranidel de Ocampo, the Road Warriors surged to an 85-83 advantage on split free throws by JR Quiñahan and Marion Magat with 11 seconds to go.
The Bolts had a chance to tie the game but De Ocampo’s shot was rejected by Quiñahan and John Paul Erram. Pedrito Galanza iced the victory for the Road Warriors with a pair of freebies.
Quiñahan led the way with 15 points, Galanza chipped in personal best 14 markers, while Erram and Kevin Alas contributed 12 markers each for the Road Warriors, which is on a two-game winning run after a 0-3 start.
“We went through an eye of the needle,” said Road Warriors head coach Joseller Guiao. “We have a hard earned victory (against Meralco). It was a positive sign for us to win in different ways.”
From back and forth action in the first three quarters, the Bolts take a slim 74-70 lead in the fourth but the Road Warriors leaned on inside hits from Erram, Quiñahan and Magat to take an 81-76 lead.
After a lengthy delay due to power outage in the venue, the Bolts was able to regain its footing as Reynel Hugnatan and De Ocampo converted baskets to force the final deadlock at 83 apiece.
Jared Dillinger finished with 16 points, while Chris Newsome and Bacolodnon Hugnatan added 15 and 14 markers, respectively, for the Bolts, which dropped to 2-3 slate.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings snapped its two-game losing skid with a 97-85 domination over the Columbian Dyip to level its win-loss record to 2-2.
Gregory Slaughter led the way with double-double 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Joe Devance added 15 markers for the Kings. Jaymar Perez finished with 25 points for the Dyip (2-3)./PN
