MANILA – Thomas Robinson delivered timely shots for NLEX Road Warriors as they escaped with a 112-104 victory over NorthPort Batang Pier in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After leading by as much as 17 points in the first half, the Road Warriors saw their advantage cut to as low as 96-101 by a furious run by the Batang Pier with four minutes in the game.
Robinson then scored a two-handed dunk followed by two more inside conversions as the Road Warriors widened the lead to 107-96 before Kris Rosales and Richie Rodger put on the finishing touches with their free throws.
Robinson top-scored with 30 points, 18 rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Celedonio Trollano added 29 markers as the Road Warriors moved up to 2-2 in the standings.
Aklanon Rosales contributed 15 points to go with nine assists, five rebounds, and four steals, while Sean Anthony posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds for NLEX.
Joshua Munzon led the way with 22 points, Venkatesha Jois added a double-double of 20 points and 19 rebounds, while Arvin Tolentino and Cade Flores ended with 19 and 15, respectively, as the Batang Pier dropped to 2-2.
Meanwhile, TNT Tropang Giga pulled away in the second half as the walloped the shorthanded Terrafirma Dyip, 133-93. The Tropang Giga improved to a 2-1 record, while the Dyip dropped to 2-2.
Holding to a slim 58-55 lead at the half, the Tropang Giga broke away in the third quarter behind the dominance of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson en route to building their largest lead at 40 points.
Hollis-Jefferson led the scoring rampage with 37 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Jayson Castro, Calvin Oftana, and rookie Henry Galinato each came up with 15 markers for the Tropang Giga.
The Dyip, which was led by the 16 points of Javi Gomez de Liano, was shorthanded as they missed the services of import Thomas de Thaey, star guard Juan Miguel Tiongson and rookie center Kemark Carino due to illnesses and injuries./PN
BOX SCORE:
NLEX 112 – Robinson 30, Trollano 29, Rosales 15, Anthony 10, Herndon 8, Rodger 7, Semerad 5, Pascual 4, Miranda 2, Marcelo 2, Gabo 0, Fajardo 0.
NORTHPORT 104 – Munzon 22, Vois 20, Tolentino 19, Flores 15, Chan 9, Calma 6, Paraiso 5, Salado 3, Ayaay 2, Yu 2, Taha 1, Caperal 0, Amores 0.
Quarterscores: 37-23, 60-53, 91-77, 112-104.
