D-League: Road Warriors run roughshod over Cultivators

NLEX had an easier time disposing off FCA, 100-71, Tuesday to advance to the semifinals of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

The Road Warriors jumped the gun early, racing to a 14-0 lead and never looked back in putting away the Cultivators quickly. JP Belencion scored off a Chris Ellis feed for the biggest lead of the game, 100-64, in the final minutes of the fourth period. NLEX also outraced FCA all game long, outscoring the Cultivators on fast break points, 24-4. NLEX will take on Max! Bond Super Glue in the knockout semifinals on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. “We’ve been preparing for FCA this past two weeks and I’m happy that the boys stayed with our game plan. But we have no time to celebrate and prepare our players," said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. Fernandez said NLEX has to defend well against the experienced players of Max! Bond, particularly Rudy Lingganay, Reil Cervantes, Jun Jun Cabatu and Roel Hugnatan. “Our team is young. Experience-wise, we just have to mature. Our team thrives on defense, we win because of defense. We have to prepare on the defensive side and the offense will follow," said Fernandez. Eric Salamat topscored for the Road Warriors with 15 points while adding six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Ogie Menor added 13 points and Calvin Abueva contributed 11. Belencion and Ronald Pascual had 10 markers. Alex Mallari scattered 13 points while Jessie Collado had 12 points for the Cultivators. - Reuben Terrado, RCJ, JVP, GMA News