Asi ignites NLEX surge vs B’water

Game today (Cagayan de Oro)

5 p.m. – Alaska vs Globalport

Games tomorrow (Biñan, Laguna)

3 p.m. – Talk n Text vs Barako Bull

5:15 p.m. – Meralco vs Purefoods

MANILA, Philippines - Asi Taulava and four other NLEX starters all came out firing as the Road Warriors got back on track after three straight losses, beating the hapless Blackwater Elite, 104-84, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo last night.

Taulava dominated inside while Macmac Cardona, Jonas Villanueva, Aldrech Ramos and Mark Borboran backed him up with solid games as NLEX improved to 3-4 and gained grounds on Barako Bull (2-5), Kia (1-7) and Blackwater (0-8) in the fight for the last two slots in the quarterfinals.

Purefoods (3-3) and Meralco (also with a 3-3 card before its game against Ginebra last night) are slightly ahead but they’re likely to land a spot in the post-elims play.

Meanwhile, Alaska Milk (6-1) seeks to regain solo lead while Globalport (4-3) goes for solo fifth place as they clash in a Petron Blaze-sponsored road game at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro at 5 p.m. today.

Before the game, Taulava vowed he would do his best to get the team out of the rut, and he made good his promise, coming through with 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in 30 minutes of action.

Later in the night, Meralco fought with great determination and pulled the rug from under Barangay Ginebra, 109-99, to tie Globalport and Talk n Text at fifth place at 4-3.

The Bolts scored their first ever victory in this Antipolo playing venue, ruining the night of Mark Caguioa who became only the 20th player in PBA history to hit the 9,000-point mark.   

Those ahead of Caguioa in the all-time scoring ladder are Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Alvin Patrimonio, Atoy Co, Nelson Asaytono, Philip Cezar, Jojo Lastimosa, Bogs Adornado, Robert Jaworski, Allan Caidic, Jerry Codiñera, Benjie Paras, Francis Arnaiz, Freddie Hubalde, Manny Victorino, Vergel Meneses, Arnie Tuadles, and Jun Limpot.

With 9,019 points, Limpot’s hold of 19th spot could be grabbed by Caguioa in their next game or two.

The Fil-Tongan behemoth showed no compassion on the franchise that introduced him to Philippine basketball back in his PABL days, putting in the bulk of his numbers in their key runs in the second and third periods.

From a 58-49 count, Taulava sizzled with 10 straight points as the Road Warriors broke away for good at 68-49 and subsequently nailed a third win after earlier victories over the Globalport Batang Pier and the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

“We’re long way to go, but if we continue what we’re doing in practice, we’ll be fine,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

“It’s more of believing in our system and believing in our game plan. And hopefully we continue to improve as a team,” Fernandez also said.

They face two tough matches versus Rain or Shine and Alaska Milk before taking on Barako Bull and Kia in key duels.

Cardona, Villanueva, Ramos and Borboran delivered all-around numbers like Taulava, making it easier for the Road Warriors to hurdle the Elite.

Cardona piled up 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Villanueva logged 17 markers, seven boards and five dish-offs, Ramos chipped in 16 points, three caroms and three feeds and Borboran added 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Taulava led the NLEX frontliners in punishing Blackwater at the paint, 50-28, while Villanueva, Ramos and Borboran dealt the Elite beating from the outside with their 10-of-13 three-point shooting.

Villanueva buried back-to-back treys to cap NLEX’s second-quarter attack that gave the team a 58-41 cushion at the half.

The Elite scored four straight baskets in their return from the halftime huddle, then Taulava personally stopped the Blackwater charge in unloading 10 consecutive markers. 

The scores: 

First Game

NLEX 104 – Taulava 24, Cardona 21, Villanueva J. 17, Ramos 16, Borboran 10, Villanueva E. 8, Canaleta 3, Hermida 2, Raymundo 2, Apinan 1, Camson 0, Arboleda W. 0, Arboleda H. 0, Baloria 0.

BLACKWATER 84 – Menor 15, Celiz 11, Gamalinda 10, Faundo 9, Artadi 8, Heruela 6, Salvacion 6, Tiongson 4, Erram 4, Laure 4, Rodriguez 3, Timberlake 2, Nuyles 2, Ballesteros 0.

Quarterscores: 26-20, 58-41, 85-62, 104-84

Second Game

MERALCO 109 – Hodge 18, Macapagal 18, David 16, Dillinger 15, Hugnatan 12, Ferriols 8, Caram 6, Buenafe 4, Atkins 4, Sena 4, Ildefonso 2, Cortez 2, Guevarra 0.

GINEBRA 99 – Slaughter 26, Aguilar 18, Yeo 15, Caguioa 11, Baracael 10, Ellis 7, Tenorio 4, Mamaril 3, Brondial 3, Urbiztondo 2, Reyes 0, Helterbrand 0, Monfort 0, Forrester 0.

Quarterscores: 24-26, 53-44, 81-77, 109-99