MANILA – Calvin Oftana saved NLEX Road Warriors from embarrassment with an overtime win against Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After starting the game with a 23-2 score, the Road Warriors suddenly found themselves on the brink of defeat. They were down 97-102 with 18 seconds left.
Oftana drilled a three-pointer to pull the Road Warriors to within 100-100. After a split free throw by Phoenix’s Larry Muyang, Oftana converted another triple to send the game into overtime.
Oftana opened the OT with a jumper to give the Road Warriors a 105-103 lead but the Fuel Masters quickly tied the score at 105-all with an inside conversion from Muyang.
Celedonio Trollano regained the lead for NLEX with a shotclock-beating jumper before JR Quiñahan padded the lead with an inside hit and a three-pointer.
Oftana finished the game with 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Quiñahan chipped in 21 markers as the Road Warriors improved to 4-2.
Alas contributed 18 points and seven assists, while Trollano and Bacolodnon center Justin Chua ended up with 17 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Road Warriors.
Matthew Wright top-scored with 19 points, rookie Christian Tyler Tio added 18 markers, while Sean Anthony and Muyang had 17 points apiece as the Fuel Masters dropped to 2-5.
In the first game, Baser Amer broke the hearts of his former team Meralco Bolts as he steered Blackwater Bossing to a 90-89 triumph to continue its fine start in the All-Filipino Conference.
Down 89-88, Amer converted on a short basket over the outstretched arms of Bolts center Siverino Baclao for the go-ahead basket with 1.5 seconds left.
Amer finished the game with six points, three assists and two rebounds as the Bossing moved up to a share of second place with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings with 4-1 slate.
Renato Ular tallied double-double 19 points and 16 rebounds, Jvee Casio and Rashawn McCarthy had 19 and 12 points, respectively, while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser debuted in the PBA with eight markers.
BOX SCORE:
NLEX 114 – Oftana 22, Quinahan 21, Alas 18, Trollano 17, Chua 12, Rosales 9, Miranda 5, Semerad 4, Ighalo 2, Soyud 2, Paniamogan 2, Fonacier 0.
PHOENIX 108 – Wright 19, Tio 18, Muyang 17, Anthony 17, Jazul 12, Mocon 8, Manganti 4, Garcia 4, Pascual 4, Rios 3, Rosales 2, Porter 0, Lalata 0.
Quarterscores: 23-7, 47-43, 72-70, 103-103, 114-108/PN
