MANILA, Philippines - Garvo Lanete waxed hot in the third period as NLEX rallied to beat defending champion Blackwater Sports, 102-84, in the PBA D-League at the JCSGO gym in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday.
Lanete poured in 13 of his game high 19 points in the pivotal third, including a baseline jumper that made it 63-56 but the Road Warriors still needed a strong fourth quarter run to fend off the Elite in a highly-physical contest.
The match was marred by a punching incident when Blackwater’s Reil Cervantes hit NLEX center Ola Adeogun at the back of the head during rebound play.
Cervantes was consequently assessed a flagrant foul 2 and was ejected from the game.
“There’s no problem with the physicality of the game. But when the intention is to hurt, I think it has no place in the league. I hope the commissioner will look into it,†said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.
Earlier, Big Chill used a solid first half stint and easily disposed of Hog’s Breath Cafe, 85-70.
Jeckster Apinan scored 18 points, Dexter Maiquez had 11 markers and Quinton Heruala added 10 points for the Superchargers, who led by as many as 21 points.
“I’m happy with the way we played defense. I think the guys realized their roles and they are stepping up,†said Big Chill coach Robert Sison.
The Razorbacks struggled with their shooting early on, shooting just 28 percent from the field in the first half and 35 percent for the game.
Apinan went 4 of 4 from the field in the first quarter for 10 points and sparked a 15-0 run as the Superchargers built a 19-3 lead that stretched to 31-10 on a basket by Maiquez with 6:31 left in the second quarter.
The Road Warriors also got big games from Jake Pascual (16 points), Kevin Alas (12) and Ronal Pascual (11). Art Dela Cruz Jr and Adeogun had 10 points apiece.
Blackwater Sports led, 48-44, at halftime but reeled back with poor shooting in the second half.
Gilber Bulawan scored 15 points and Jericho Cruz added 11 for the Elite.