MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors battled back from 19 points down to defeat San Miguel Beermen in overtime, 117-113, in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Down 55-74 with over seven minutes in the third quarter, the Road Warriors slowly clawed its way back behind reinforcement Thomas Robinson and Aklanon Kris Rosales to force an overtime at 105-all.
The Road Warriors surged to a 111-108 lead in the extension period on four straight points by Kevin Alas, but a triple by Simon Enciso and a layup by Jaymar Perez allowed the Beermen to tie the score at 113-all.
NLEX quickly regained the lead at 115-113 courtesy of a jumper from Robinson before Alas secured the come-from-behind victory by draining two of his four free throw attempts.
Robinson finished with a double-double of 42 points and 20 rebounds, Rosales chipped in 19 markers, including six three-point conversions, while Alas ended with 18 markers as the Road Warriors improved to 1-1.
Terrence Romeo top-scored for the Beermen with 28 points, Perez chipped in 25 markers, June Mar Fajardo posted a double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds, while import Ivan Aska ended with 21 points.
In the first game, Terrafirma Dyip rode on the hot hands of Juan Miguel Tiongson as they turned back Blackwater Bossing, 97-87, for a 1-1 win-loss slate. The Bossing dropped to 1-2 slate.
After a slow start, the Dyip started to turn things around in the second quarter behind the outside shots of Tiongson and inside connections from Thomas de Thaey as they build a 10-point lead at the half.
The Bossing attempted to make a run in the third quarter, but the Dyip had their answers courtesy of Tiongson, Aldrech Ramos and Javi Gomez de Liaño as they preserved the double-digit advantage.
Tiongson led the way with 25 points, eight assists and three rebounds for the Dyip, Gomez de Liaño chipped in 17 markers, while Thaey had a double-double of 15 markers and 12 rebounds in the win./PN
BOX SCORE:
NLEX 117 – Robinson 42, Rosales 19, Alas 18, Rodger 9, Anthony 8, Herndon 8, Nieto 4, Trollano 4, Semerad 4, Marcelo 1, Miranda 0, Fajardo 0.
SAN MIGUEL 113 – Romeo 28, Perez 25, Fajardo 22, Aska 21, Ross 6, Enciso 5, Teng 2, Tautuaa 2, Brondial 2, Bulanadi 0.
Quarterscores: 24-27, 47-62, 74-82, 105-105, 117-113.
