Late surge lifts Warriors over Bakers

MANILA, Philippines - NLEX struck back in the fourth period as it overcame Cafe France, 66-60, to stretch its win streak to four and stay at the top in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Center yesterday.

The Road Warriors, down 40-45 at the start of the final quarter, blazed past the Bakers with a decisive 20-8 run to seize a 60-53 lead, capped by a three-pointer from Eman Monfort, who finished with eight points, eight rebounds and three assists for the defending champions.

Cliff Hodge led NLEX with a double-double effort, scoring 14 points and pulling down 14 rebounds, including eight offensive boards. Chris Ellis and Calvin Abueva also hauled down eight rebounds each as the Road Warriors lorded it over the boards, 62-39.

Hodge tied the game at 51 with a three-point-play with 6:36 left in the contest then the Road Warriors capped their stretch-run charge with a 15-9 run to frustrate the Bakers.

Mike Parala scored seven of Café France’s last nine points but missed the possible go-ahead basket with 15 seconds left in the game, paving the way for Abueva’s charities before Hodge sealed the victory with another basket.

Parala shot 16 points, while Jonathan Semira added 13 points and seven boards for the Bakers, who fought back from a 14-24 deficit to move within, 25-27, at the half on a steal and a layup by Hans Knuttel, who wound up with 12 points.

The Road Warriors scored 15 of 22 free throws while the Bakers made just six of their 15 attempts from the line.

In the other game, Kenneth Acibar scored 10 of his game-high 17 points in the fourth quarter as Boracay Rum finally notched its first victory over Jr. Powerade, 64-60. 

The Waves (1-3) turned the game around with a 10-0 run that turned 51-57 deficit into a four-point lead which they preserved till the end.

“We’re really struggling. Hopefully, this win could lead to a run as we try to build our confidence,” said Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson.

The Jr. Tigers fell to 2-2 and dropped into a tie for fifth with RnW Pacific Pipes.

“We have been struggling, luckily we did well at endgame, we did not collapse and we held on to our lead,” said Waves coach Lawrence Tiongson. “Hopefully, this win could lead to a run as we try to build our confidence.”

The Jr. Tigers fell to 2-2 and dropped into a tie for fifth with RnW Pacific Pipes.

The Tigers actually had the chance to tie the game but Alvin Padilla and Mike Silungan misfired from the long range with the Waves securing the victory with four free throws. 

The scores:

First Game

NLEX 66 – Hodge 14, Ellis 12, Long 8, Monfort 8, Abueva 8, Arao 6, Hermida 4, Lanete 3, Marcelo 3, Suguitan 0, Belencion 0, Dehesa 0, Sanggalang 0.

Café France 60 – Parala 16, Semira 13, Knuttel 12, Nimes 9, Magat 4, Mabayo 3, Orbeta 2, Magbitang 1, Ighalo 0, Gallardo 0, Guillen 0.

Quarterscores: 13-6; 27-25; 40-45; 66-60

Second Game

Boracay Rum 64 – Acibar 17, Bandaying 12, Rosopa 12, Abaya 6, Sabellina 5, Hermosisima 4, Siruma 3, Cornejo 3, Foronda 2, Eguilos 0, Terso 0.

Jr. Powerade 60 – Silungan 17, Lopez 9, Escueta 9, Padilla 8, Cubo 6, Juruena 4, Hipolito 2, Wong 0, Gingerich 0, Reyes 0.

Quarterscores: 15-18; 29-24; 40-43; 64-60