PBA-DL: Air21 JRU force winner-take-all for Finals berth vs NLEX

The Air21 JRU Heavy Bombers inflicted just the second loss on the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2012-13 Aspirant's Cup, 108-94, Thursday at the Ynares Sports Center, to force a deciding game three in their semifinals series. The Road Warriors, winners of all three previous D-League championships, could miss the Finals for the first time if they fall to the Heavy Bombers, the fifth and lowest seed of the Final Four teams, next Tuesday. Air21 JRU started the game with a 12-1 blitz and never looked back afterwards, maintaining their 11-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 28-17. Scores by Philip Paniamogan, Jeckster Apinan and Nard Pinto made it a 16-point advantage for Air21 JRU, 48-32, but seven straight by NLEX brought that down to single digits, 48-39, entering the break. The closest the Road Warriors would get was in the fourth quarter, as two hits by Nico Salva, followed by Kevin Alas free throws, got NLEX within four, 78-74, with seven minutes remaining. Air21 JRU however replied with a 7-2 run, and their more fancied foes couldn't get the deficit lower than five after that. Air21 JRU featured three players scoring at least 20 points, led by John Villarias' game-high 24 markers. He also added four rebounds, five assists and one steal in a complete outing for his team. Philip Paniamogan dropped 20 points off the bench, while big man Dexter Maiquez compiled a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. NLEX was led by the 15 point performances of Greg Slaughter and Kevin Alas. Ian Sagalang chimed in with 13 points and eight rebounds, while fellow starters RR Garcia and Kirk Long had 12 and 11, respectively. The Heavy Bombers buried their opposition from downtown with a 10-of-22 three-point clip. They also beat the taller Road Warriors on the glass, 46-37, 18-10 in offensive rebounds. [Related: NLEX mauls Air21 JRU, one away from fourth straight Finals trip] In game one of the best-of-three series, the Road Warriors pulled off a one-sided win, 105-85. - AMD, GMA News The scores: Air21 JRU 108 - Villarias 24, Paniamogan 20, Maiquez 20, Pinto 16, Mirza 10, Apinan 7, Mabulac 6, Lopez 2, Del Rio 2, Ighalo 1, Almario 0 NLEX 94 - Slaughter 15, Alas 15, Sangalang 13, Garcia 12, Long 11, Sumalinog 7, Camson 5, Lanete 5, Salva 4, Pascual 4, Amer 3, Hermida 0 Quarter-scoring: 28-17, 48-39, 76-68, 108-94