NLEX survives late Barangay Ginebra rally with Bolick, Torres heroics

NLEX survived a late rally from Barangay Ginebra, 89-86, thanks to the late game heroics of Robert Bolick and Xyrus Torres in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

The Road Warriors outscored the Gin Kings, 30-17, in the third quarter where the former led by as much as 17, 58-41, before closing the said frame with a 67-53 lead. 

Barangay Ginebra, however, made a late rally in the final frame. Down 13, Stephen Holt exploded as he made nine of Ginebra's 12-3 run to inch closer, 72-68. Holt's late game run continued as his trey further cut the deficit, 78-77, with 4:38 left.

Torres, however, drilled a triple to give NLEX a four-point lead before Scottie Thompson's basket pushed Barangay Ginebra closer. Holt tied the game with less than three minutes left before a split gave the lead to Barangay Ginebra.

Thompson then made a layup before Bolick sank a three-pointer to knot the two teams at 84. Thompson again answered for Ginebra's lead, but Torres shot one from the arc to hand NLEX an 87-86 lead. A foul on Bolick with seven ticks left put him on the line where he sank two free throws to virtually seal the victory. Thompson missed his late 3-point attempt, while Bolick grabbed the final rebound en route to the Road Warriors' fourth straight win.

Bolick had 28 points built on three out of three triples to go with seven boards, four assists, and a block, while Torres had 11 as he missed only one of his four three-point attempts as NLEX improved to 4-1.

Holt had 21 points, 18 of which were made in the fourth period, while Thompson had 20 points as Barangay Ginebra slipped to 2-2. Jamie Malonzo and RJ Abarrientos added 11 points, respectively.

Scores:

NLEX 89 – Bolick 28, Torres 11, Ramirez 11, Alas 10, Mocon 8, Bahio 6, Semerad 6, Fajardo 5, Rodger 2, Policarpio 2, Nieto 0.

Barangay Ginebra 86 – Holt 21, Thompson 20, Malonzo 11, Abarrientos 11, Rosario 8, J.Aguilar 7, Adamos 6, Pinto 2, Cu 0, David 0, Mariano 0.

Quarters: 13-23, 37-36, 67-53, 89-86.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News