PBA: NLEX completes comeback as Ljay Gonzales sinks OT winner vs Meralco

Ljay Gonzales knocked down the game-winning triple at the buzzer to lift NLEX past Meralco, 104-101, in overtime and complete a come-from-behind victory on Friday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

Tied at 101 following a Jason Brickman triple, Robert Bolick found Gonzales open near the top of the key, where he calmly buried the decisive shot as time expired.

“The play was to disguise because we’ve been running the last six or seven plays for the last five minutes. I thought of drawing another one to throw them off, and eventually it opened up Ljay. Luckily, he hit it,” said NLEX assistant coach Borgie Hermida, as head coach Jong Uichico was ejected in the second quarter after lightly tapping a referee.

Earlier, Bolick forced overtime with a step-back triple over Brickman to tie the game at 89-all, capping NLEX’s rally from a 17-point deficit. Meralco had led 63-46 at the 6:09 mark of the third quarter before the Road Warriors stormed back.

Import Cady Lalanne led NLEX with 34 points, 25 rebounds, three blocks, and three assists, while Schonny Winston paced the locals with 21 points. Gonzales finished with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal as NLEX improved to 6-1.

For Meralco, Marvin Jones posted 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Chris Newsome and Javee Mocon added 19 and 17 points, respectively, as the Bolts slipped to 5-2.

Scores:

NLEX 104 – Lalanne 34, Winston 21, Gonzales 15, Bolick 11, Bahio 9, Rodger 7, Semerad 5, Alas 2, racal 0, Herndon 0, Fajardo 0.

Meralco 101 – Jones 25, Newsome 19, Mocon 17, Cansino 14, Brickman 13, Quinto 7, Banchero 6, Hodge 0, Black 0, Almazan 0, Pascual 0, Rios 0.

Quarters: 14-19, 35-45, 64-76, 89-89, 104-101 (OT).

—JKC, GMA News