NLEX topples Freego, joins race for Final 4

MANILA, Philippines - Cliff Hodge took charge in the second half as NLEX blasted Freego Jeans, 76-59, yesterday and turned the battle for the two outright semifinal berths into a three-cornered fight in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the San Juan gym.

Hodge scored 17 of his game-high 24 points in the last two quarters as the Road Warriors broke away from a tight contest en route to a runaway victory, their fifth against one loss.

NLEX remained in third behind Cebuana Lhuillier’s pacesetting 7-1 card and Freego Jean’s 6-2 mark. But the victory kept the Foundation Cup champions on track for an automatic semis berth. 

“We prepared hard for this game. Freego is playing well as team and we want to make a statement,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Road Warriors shot 50 percent from the field as compared to Freego’s 34 percent shooting. NLEX also beat Freego Jeans of the boards, 45-35, and dished out 30 assists against its rival’s 11.

Calvin Abueva tallied 14 points and Chris Ellis made seven assists for NLEX, which held Freego to 3-of-13 shooting in the fourth period.

Lester Alvarez scored 18 points and Eric Camson added 17 for the Jeans Makers, who lost guard Jerrick Canada, who signed with an Indonesian team that will play in the Asian Basketball League.

Earlier, Cobra Energy Drink finally snapped a seven-game skid as it nipped DUB Unlimited, 62-60.

Robby Zablan hit two free throws in the last 9.4 seconds as the Iron Men held on to clinch the elusive win.

The Wheelers actually had a chance to force overtime or steal the victory but the Iron Men shackled Raymond Aguilar and Jeric Teng as time expired.

“It‘s a good feeling. We’re just fortunate they (Wheelers) made a lot of turnovers in the stretch and we capitalized on that,” said Cobra coach Jerry Codiñera.