NLEX spoiled San Miguel’s title defense opener with an 85–84 win in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Road Warriors pulled off the upset despite the absence of star Robert Bolick, who missed the game due to the passing of his father.
San Miguel held a 76-73 lead with under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but NLEX responded with a 10-2 run to take an 83–78 advantage. Mo Tautuaa ended the Beermen’s dry spell with 2:41 left, but San Miguel went scoreless for a crucial stretch, putting their title defense opener in jeopardy.
JB Bahio’s free throws, drawn off a Don Trollano foul, gave NLEX a five-point cushion. However, Trollano answered with a rare four-point play to cut the deficit to just one, 85–84, with 11 seconds left.
Andreas Cahilig then fouled Bahio, who missed both free throws, but NLEX managed to hold off the Beermen’s final push to secure its first win of the conference.
Brandon Ramirez and Jonnel Policarpio led NLEX with 16 points apiece, while Kevin Alas added 13. Bahio contributed a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
June Mar Fajardo paced San Miguel with 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Trollano and Jericho Cruz added 17 and 12 points, respectively.
Scores:
NLEX 85 – Policarpio 16, Ramirez 16, Alas 13, Bahio 12, Rodger 9, Valdez 6, Amer 5, Semerad 4, Nieto 2, Torres 2, Fajardo 0, Herndon 0.
San Miguel 84 – Fajardo 18, Trollano 17, Cruz 12, Lassiter 8, Tiongson 7, Brondial 7, Tautuaa 6, Cahilig 5, Teng 2, Perez 2, Ross 0, Miller 0.
Quarters: 22-25, 32-42, 66-67, 85-84.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
