Road Warriors run over Bossing to rule Kadayawan cagefest

MANILA, Philippines -- The NLEX Road Warriors bagged the 2025 Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament championship after blasting the Blackwater Bossing, 101-84, Sunday in Davao City.

NLEX had a slow start, falling behind by eight points at the end of the first quarter, but it slowly heated up and did not look back to bag the championship.

Tony Semerad had a double-double in the win with 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and one steal, being named the tournament Finals Most Valuable Player.

Blackwater led by eight points, 28-20, at the end of the first quarter as it looked primed to go home to Manila unblemished in the tourney.

But a massive 34-12 second quarter turned things around, giving NLEX a 54-40 lead at the half.

This was enough separation for the Road Warriors as they breezed through to the finish line, with leads going up to as much as 21 points, 101-80, after a late 3-pointer by Jonnel Policarpio.

NLEX thus finished the invitational tournament with a 3-1 record. It defeated Phoenix and Converge in the preliminary stage, but absorbed a loss against Blackwater.

But the Road Warriors avenged their loss to the Bossing, who were undefeated against the three teams prior to the final.

Phoenix, meanwhile, finished third in the tournament after crushing Converge, 101-80, earlier Sunday.

It was the Fuel Masters’ first win in the tourney, as they had a 0-3 slate in the preliminaries.

Raffy Verano sparked Phoenix with 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists in the victory.