PBA: NLEX pulls away in second half to rout Titan Ultra 

League-leading NLEX rode on a strong second half to crush the struggling Titan Ultra, 147-115, in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Road Warriors broke a 65-all deadlock at the halftime break, unleashing 37 pints compared to the 14 of the Giant Risers to pull away for good and surge to their eighth win in 10 games.

Import Deonte Burton sparked their third-quarter barrage to finish with 21 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks while Robert Bolick led the local support with 20 markers, eight dimes, and five boards.

Four other Road Warriors supplied help with Kevin Alas dropping 19 points, LJay Gonzales chipping in 17, and Robert Herndon and Xyrus Torres chiming in 16 and 12 markers, respectively.

"Very happy with our second half effort. Very unhappy about how we played in the first half. Berto said earlier, 'I was not happy and I made that very clear to our team'," NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag said.

"I want our guys to understand that our playoff preparation and our playoff mindset begins now, not October 24, 25, when the quarterfinals start. Our preparation and our mindset has to start now."

Bolick and Burton buried a triple each to open the third before another three-pointer from Alas sent the Road Warriors to a 98-77 cushion late in the frame, which NLEX closed out with a 102-79 lead.

NLEX torched Titan Ultra with Alas and Torres each nailing a four-pointer that sent the Road Warriors to a 138-109 lead in the final 2:16 en route to the 32-point victory.

"We haven't proven anything yet so why would we relax facing Titan. We haven't reached semis or the finals. We should treat every game like it's the playoffs," Bolick said.

"We should be in playoff mode every game. We've been here before, we always fall short in the playoffs so we should change our style."

—JKC, GMA News