MANILA – Robert Bolick Jr. unleashed a first-quarter scoring barrage as NLEX Road Warriors demolished Phoenix Fuel Masters, 137-89, to complete a 3-0 quarterfinal sweep and storm into the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup semifinals on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Bolick erupted for 20 points in the opening period, including three four-pointers, as NLEX raced to a 43-21 advantage and never looked back.
The Road Warriors stretched their lead to 78-43 at halftime before cruising to a 48-point rout that sealed their best-of-five series.
Bolick finished with 23 points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal in just 24 minutes.
Deonte Burton and Deschon Winston added 19 points apiece, while Kevin Alas and LJay Gonzales contributed 12 each. Enoch Valdez chipped in 10.
Phoenix import Marcellous Earlington led the Fuel Masters with 19 points, followed by Kai Ballungay with 16. Gian Mamuyac scored 11, while Kenneth Tuffin and Tyler Tio added 10 each.
Meanwhile, defending champion TNT Tropang 5G also advanced to the semifinals after eliminating Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 98-87, to complete another 3-0 quarterfinal sweep.
Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson powered TNT with 38 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
Rey Nambatac contributed 13 points, Roger Pogoy added 12, and Calvin Oftana finished with 10.
Magnolia import KJ Buffen exploded for 34 points, but his effort proved insufficient to prevent the Hotshots’ elimination./PN
