NLEX remains hot

MANILA, Philippines — NLEX rolled to its longest streak in the PBA and in doing so, soared to a share of the lead in the Season 49 Philippine Cup.

Unwavering in the face of Converge’s furious fourth-quarter fightback, the Road Warriors secured an 88-83 verdict to stay on the winning path last night at the PhilSports Arena.

Unbeaten for six games running now, coach Jong Uichico’s charges eclipsed the old franchise record in consecutive victories previously pegged at five.

At 6-1 overall, the Road Warriors positioned themselves in a tie with idle Magnolia atop the leaderboard and moved closer to an outright stint in the playoffs.

The FiberXers dropped to 5-4.

Robert Bolick turned in 19 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as Xyrus Torres shot 18, Javee Mocon and Anthony Semerad had 10 apiece and JB Bahio had 9-9 in the streak-extending win.

Bolick capped his brilliance with a big-time triple and a basket in the last 2:47 that enabled NLEX to seal the deal despite scoring only 12 against the FiberXers’ 23 in the final canto.

“Alam naman namin na malakas ang Converge. They’ve been playing so well so we had to find the ‘extras,” said Uichico.

The Road Warriors’ efforts were especially focused under the boards against Converge vaunted Twin Towers of Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana. Uichico’s crew grabbed 38 boards – only three off the FiberXers’ output.

NLEX seized a 10-point spread in the second and extended it to 16 at the end of the third but  Converge rattled off 10 points at the start the fourth to ignite a serious uprising. Then Bolick stepped in to close it out.

“Nag-comeback sila (Converge) but hindi nag-panic ang team,” said Uichico.

Later, Japeth Aguilar hit the winning jumper as Ginebra scraped past Blackwater, 101-99. The Gin Kings fortified their hold of fourth spot at 5-2 while dragging the Bossing to 1-6.