IMPORT Earl Clark and the NLEX Road Warriors refuse to go for an early vacation by rallying past the Meralco Bolts, 92-81, booting their victims out of quarterfinals contention Wednesday in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Down 64-71 at the end of the third quarter, the Road Warriors unleashed a blazing 28-10 surge to turn the game around and stay in the hunt for the No. 8 spot in the playoffs.
But their fate is no not in their hands as the Road Warriors are hoping for Rain or Shine to lose to Magnolia on Friday to force a playoff for the No. 8 quarterfinal slot.
“We are still alive and kicking,” said NLEX coach Frankie Lim, who added he berated his players at half time and told them to man up on defense. “All I asked for my team is to be decent in defense and makes some stops to trigger our offense.”
Clark heard it loud and clear and responded with 25 of his game-high 40 points in the second half—13 he made in the final quarter—in addition to 11 rebounds and two blocks. Don Trollano was consistent for NLEX with 16 points and nine rebounds.
“They enjoy running and going in offense. It’s like a reward for them if they make stops,” Lim said. “That’s what happened in the second half.”
Rookie Brandon Rosser-Ganuelas added 10 points for NLEX, which overhauled an 18-point 39-57deficit at halftime.
KJ McDaniels had 22 points and nine rebounds for Meralco, which played without big man Raymond Almazan who sprained his ankle in their 96-108 loss to Magnolia over the weekend.
Image credits: Rudy Esperas