The streak continues for NLEX, the skid goes on for Blackwater.
Keeping the trend, the Road Warriors rolled to their third straight victory at the expense of the slumping Bossing, 99-88, to maintain pole position in the PBA Philippine Cup last night at Ynares Center-Antipolo.
The Road Warriors opened each quarter strong to get the upperhand then quashed the Bossing’s repeated uprisings to clear the path to a leading 4-1 record.
As they broke out of a five-team logjam at No. 1, the charges of Jong Uichico also extended the woes of the Bossing, who are now on a three-match slide after opening Season 50 victorious over Terrafirma, 107-87.
JB Bahio banged in a career-high 23 points to go with six rebounds in a performance that earned back-to-back Player of the Game honors for NLEX.
Xyrus Torres backstopped Bahio with 18 while ace gunner Robert Bolick concentrated on playmaking and issued 12 assists. Bolick still scored 15 as Kevin Alas chipped in 13.
The Road Warriors built a 47-37 cushion at the half and went on to widen the gap to 62-47 in the third.
But then the Bossing rallied and threatened at 69-66, forcing the Road Warriors to work double time to restore order.
A basket by Javee Mocon gave NLEX a 71-66 breathing room at the end of the third and an 8-0 salvo to start the fourth brought the lead back up to 13.
Later, Rey Nambatac led the fierce fightback from 23 down and drilled in the go-ahead jumper as TNT edged Meralco in overtime, 100-98, to join NLEX at the top at 4-1. The Bolts dropped to 3-4.
‘We always have that lull. In the past few games, nagkakaroon ng lull at biglang nakakahabol ‘yung kalaban so we have to address that moving forward,’ said Uichico, whose crew was outscored by Blackwater in the windup to the third, 19-9.
Sophomore Sedrick Barefield and rookie guard Dalph Panopio led the Bossing with 19 and 12 points, respectively.