PBA: Bolick, Winston drop 31 points each as NLEX goes 2-0 in QF vs. Phoenix

Robert Bolick and Schonny Winston formed a lethal one-two punch to steer NLEX to a 124-117 win against Phoenix in Game 2 of their PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

The top-seeded Road Warriors broke a tight 101-all deadlock in the fourth quarter and pulled away for good as they moved on cusp of sweeping the best-of-five series and sending the Fuel Masters packing.

Winston dropped a career-high 31 points while Bolick churned out 31 markers as well together with six rebounds, four assists, and three steals while import Deonte Burton finished with 24 points, 10 boards, and two assists.

"I thought in the first half, 72 points was way too high and a lot of credit goes to Phoenix. They played extremely well in the first half, put a lot of pressure on us defensively, NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag said.

"But I challenged our guys in the second half. There was no way we're gonna win this game tonight defending that way and I think in the second half, we only gave up 45 points."

NLEX and Phoenix didn't allow the other to create a huge separation in the first three quarters as Marcellus Earlington sank a basket after returning from a bad landing to force a 101-all deadlock early in the fourth.

Winston, however, sparked a huge 15-6 rampage to send the Road Warriors into a 116-107 lead. Phoenix answered back, responding with a quick 4-0 run capped by a Ricci Rivero layup to trim the deficit to five, 111-116.

Burton then came alive after knocking down back-to-back jumpers to regain a 120-111 cushion for NLEX, who had now captured a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five series for the first time in franchise history, and sealed the deal even after a final push from Phoenix.

Earlington paced Phoenix with 22 points and nine rebounds while Rivero and Kai Ballungay both finished with 21 markers in the losing effort.

Scores:

NLEX 124 – Winston 31, Bolick 31, Burton 24, Alas 12, Semerad 8, Bahio 8, Valdez 4, Gonzales 4, Herndon 2, Nieto 0, Torres 0.

Phoenix 117 – Earlington 22, Rivero 21, Ballungay 21, Mamuyac 18, Tuffin 17, Tio 15, Escandor 3, Delos Santos 0, Santos 0.

Quarters: 35-33, 68-72, 93-94, 124-117.

—JKC, GMA News