Road Warriors turn back Brownlee, Gin Kings

MANILA, Philippines -- The NLEX Road Warriors weathered Justin Brownlee's 46-point explosion to outlast Barangay Ginebra, 118-113, in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup clash Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Robert Bolick scored NLEX’s last six points to tow NLEX to their third victory in four outings, while pushing Ginebra to a 1-1 start to the import-laden conference. 

Bolick produced 32 points, along with seven assists and four rebounds. Cady Lalanne seconded the effort with 28 markers, 14 boards and two dimes. 

After trailing by 13 points in the game, NLEX led by seven, 100-93, with 10:29 remaining after an and-one play by LJ Gonzales. 

But Brownlee, Japeth Aguilar and Troy Rosario combined for a 12-4 run to push Ginebra ahead, 105-104, with 6:28 remaining. 

A layup by Bolick snapped the run, before RJ Abarrientos connected from deep, which followed a Brownlee slam and an Abarrientos finger roll that gave the Gin Kings a 112-106 separation with 4:27 left. 

NLEX, then, found a higher gear down the stretch.

The squad unleashed a 12-1 run capped by six straight points by Bolick to grab the win. 

Brownlee had 46 points on 16-of-22 shooting to lead five Gin Kings in double figures. RJ Abarrientos and Japeth Aguilar chipped in 14 points apiece, while Troy Rosario and Stephen Holt added 11 and 10, respectively.

Still, it was not enough for the Gin Kings, who led by 13 points at one point.