PBA: Bolick drops triple-double as NLEX locks up top seed with OT win vs Titan Ultra

Robert Bolick bounced back from a flat first-half showing to power NLEX past Titan Ultra in overtime 123–112, and lock up the top seed in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Bolick, who scored only three points in the first two quarters, made up for it in the second half, finishing with a triple-double of 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Road Warriors officially clinched the top spot at 10-2.

Bolick drew support from import Cady Lalanne, who posted a monster double-double effort of 29 points and 20 rebounds, while Schonny Winston continued to be a steady force with 24 markers, three boards, and thre dimes.

The win marked the first time since the 2019 Governors' Cup that NLEX emerged as the top seed in the elimination round.

"I wasn't planning on playing the starting five a lot of minutes. I wanted also to give the others some playing time naman na baka kailangan namin come the playoffs," NLEX head coach Jong Uichico said.

"Kaya lang hindi maganda 'yung takbo ng laro so they (starters) ended up also playing. Syempre we want to come out with a win."

(I wasn't planning on playing the starting five a lot of minutes. I wanted also to give the others some playing time because we might need them come the playoffs... But the game was not going in our favor so they ended up playing. Of course, we want to come out with a win.)

Although NLEX had been dominant throughout the conference, the Road Warriors stumbled early as also-ran Titan Ultra rode the hot hand of import Michael Gilmore to build a 59–50 halftime lead.

But Bolick woke up in second half, torching the Giant Risers with 18 points, including a step-back triple over the taller Jeo Ambohot to give NLEX an 86-82 lead in the third period.

A wild sequence unfolded late in the fourth quarter that ultimately forced the game into an extra period.

It happened when Joshua Munzon forced a crucial turnover against NLEX with Titan Ultra trailing by just one, 107–106, in the final 15 seconds of regulation. But the veteran guard missed a wide open layup before Gilmore split his free throws to force a deadlock and overtime.

Titan Ultra just lost steam in the extra frame after Lalanne fueled a 6-0 start before Bolick buried an and-one basket to extend the lead to 117-112. Bolick and Winston then put the game away, with the latter scoring the final four points to seal the win.

Gilmore tallied 25 points, 18 rebounds, and five assists while Munzon and Jerrick Balanza chipped in 19 and 12 markers each in the loss that sent Titan Ultra to a 2-9 card.

The Giant Risers, though, still have a chance to end their campaign on the right note, but they will have to do it at the expense of powerhouse Rain or Shine on Friday.

—JMB, GMA News