PBA: NLEX overcomes 19-point deficit to stun San Miguel in OT thriller

NLEX needed to erase a double-digit deficit before forcing an overtime en route to a 117-113 stunner against San Miguel in the 2023 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Import Thomas Robinson was phenomenal, battling fatigue to churn out a huge double-double of 42 points and 20 rebounds alongside five assists and one block as the Road Warriors crawled back from 19 points down to complete the victory and improve to 1-1.

NLEX stared at a 76-57 disadvantage at one point in the third quarter before they went on a rampage in the fourth, outscoring the Beermen 31 to 23 with Kris Rosales burying three clutch triples late in regulation to force an overtime. 

Kevin Alas then finished the job for NLEX, sinking a layup before a pair of free throws from him made it a 111-108 cushion for the Road Warriors in the final 2:47 of the extra period.

San Miguel tied things up twice in the final moments but Alas stripped the ball off the hands of June Mar Fajardo before drawing a foul from Chris Ross and sinking his first freebie, 116-113, with 9.7 seconds left. He then missed his second free throw, but secured the board that led to another split and eventually the hard-fought win. 

Alas finished with 18 points off the bench, five rebounds, and two assists while Rosales tallied 19 markers built on six triples laced with four dimes. 

Terrence Romeo paced San Miguel with 28 points and six assists while Perez collected 25 markers, five rebounds, and two dimes. Fajardo had a double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds alongside four dimes and four blocks, but those went for naught as San Miguel kicked off its campaign with a 0-1 card.

Scores:

NLEX 117 – Robinson 42, Rosales 19, Alas 18, Rodger 9, Anthony 8, Herndon 8, Nieto 4, Trollano 4, Semerad 4, Marcelo 1, Fajardo 0, Miranda 0.

San Miguel 113 – Romeo 28, Perez 25, Aska 21, Fajardo 22, Ross 6, Enciso 5, Teng 2, Tautuaa 2, Brondial 2, Tautuaa 2, Bulanadi 0.

Quarters: 24-27, 47-62, 74-82, 105-105, 117-113

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News