BY REYNALD MAGALLON
Kris Rosales and Thomas Robinson rallied NLEX back from a 19-point deficit before Kevin Alas put on the finishing touches in overtime to spoil San Miguel Beer’s debut with a 117-114 win in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, Nov. 15.
In a contest that was highlighted by huge offensive showing from both sides, it was the defensive stop from Alas which proved to be the difference down the stretch as the Road Warriors outlasted the Beermen to even their record to 1-1.
Up only by two, 115-113, Alas completed a huge defensive stop in the waning seconds, taking the ball away from June Mar Fajardo before he was sent to the foul line where he split his charities.
Alas, however, still got the rebound and was sent back to the charity stripe with 6.2 seconds left. He split the free throws again but it was already enough to seal the deal as SMB came up dry in its final offensive possession.
Alas defensive heroics preserved the huge offensive effort of Robinson, who kept NLEX afloat after trailing by 19, 76-57 midway through the third, and Rosales, who took over in the final frame to force the extra period.
Robinson showed SMB what it missed when he failed to suit up for the team last conference, putting up a double-double of 42 points, 20 rebounds and four blocks.
Rosales, on the other hand, dropped 15 of his 19 points in the final frame including three-straight in the last two minutes of regulation. His last long bomb knotted the count at 105-all with nine seconds left, sending the game to overtime.
The NLEX win spoiled a splendid debut from Terrence Romeo, who finished with 28 points and six assists, and CJ Perez who chipped in 25.
Meantime, Terrafirma repulsed Blackwater, 97-87 to also pick up its first win.
Buoyed by the strong start from main man Juami Tiongson, the Dyip established a double-digit lead in the first half before keeping the rallying Bossing at bay in the final frame to even their record to 1-1.
With the win, Terrafirma also ended an eight-game losing streak which it carried over from the last conference where it finished 2-9 after absorbing seven straight loses.
Tiongson was at the forefront of the attack with 25 points – 16 of which he dropped in the first half – along with eight assists and two steals.
Unlike in the previous conference, it was not a one-man assault for Terrafirma as Javi Gomez De Liano, who is slowly becoming a potent weapon off the bench for the Dyip, chipped in 17 points.
Import Thomas De Thaey had a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds while Kemark Carino also continued to impress with 10 points, nine rebounds and a 2-of-2 clip from deep.
Top pick Stephen Holt was still looking for his rhythm on the offensive end with just seven points to show but made his presence felt on other department with his seven rebounds, five assists and one steal.
The Scores:
First Game:
TERRAFIRMA 97 – Tiongson 25, Gomez de Liano 17, De Thaey 15, Carino 10, Camson 7, Holt 7, Ramos 4, Cahilig 3, Alolino 3, Calvo 3, Daquioag 3, Olivario 0, Go 0, Miller 0, Mina 0
BLACKWATER 87 – Ayonayon 16, Ortiz 15, Suerte 13, DiGregorio 11, Rosario 10, Casio 6, David 5, McCarthy 4, Hill 3, Guinto 2, Ular 2, Escoto 0, Banal 0
QUARTERS: 24-22, 50-40, 69-64, 97-87.
Second Game
