PBA-DL: NLEX one away from sweep after close victory over Cebuana Lhuillier

NLEX is one victory away from an elimination round sweep after defeating Cebuana Lhuillier, 76-68, on Tuesday at the JCSGO Gym, in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.

Ronald Pascual had 14 points, while Ola Adeogun added 12 as the two combined for 13 of NLEX’s 22 points in the final period to stave off the Gems’ upset bid.

NLEX, which had earlier secured one of two automatic semifinal berths, now has eight wins.

“I gave my boys a break since we already reached our goal of reaching the semifinals. Cebuana played tough against us. Now, we are out to sweep the eliminations,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Gems (5-4), despite the defeat, are still very much in contention for an outright semifinal slot as they play Blackwater Sports (4-3) next Monday. They can still finish second if the Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants lose to the Big Chill Superchargers in the second game being played at posting time.

Cebuana Lhuillier threatened all game long, with Brian Ilad giving the Gems a 57-56 lead early in the fourth period.

But Pascual hit a triple and Adeogun followed with a put-back to put the Road Warriors up by six points, 68-62.

Paul Zamar cut NLEX’s lead to 70-67 with 1:28 left in the fourth, but Pascual and Adeogun secured the win by scoring the Road Warriors’ final six points.  - Reuben Terrado, SPIN


The scores:

NLEX 76 – R. Pascual 14, Adeogun 12, Lanete 12, Amer 9, Alas 7, Dela Rosa 6, Long 5, K. Pascual 4, Ganuelas 3, Dela Cruz 2, J. Pascual 2, Raymundo 0

Cebuana Lhuillier 68 – Zamar 15, G. Banal 11, Arellano 10, Gamalinda 10, Ilad 9, Martinez 5, Mangahas 3, Paredes 2, Leynes 2, Acibar 1, J. Banal 0, Sarangay 0, Padilla 0

Quarter scoring: 21-19, 40-31, 54-52, 76-68