MANILA – Jericho Cruz bannered NLEX Road Warriors’ late uprising to cruise to 108-94 triumph over Terrafirma Dyip in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. With the victory, the Road Warriors improved to a 2-2 win-loss slate record.
As the Road Warriors clung to a 73-72 edge in the fourth quarter, Cruz, Kiefer Ravena, Anthony Semerad, and JR Quinahan connived for a late rally to score 88-78.
Two more baskets by Cruz widened NLEX’s gap to 98-82 with over four minutes remaining. Terrafirma made its last push at 98-90. However, a three-pointer by Quinahan and free throws by Kevin Alas secured the victory for the Road Warriors.
Cruz ended with 15 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter, to go with four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block.
Alas led the Road Warriors with 21 points, Quinahan dropped 19 markers, while Calvin Oftana and Semerad chipped in 16 and 13 points, respectively. Rookie Joshua Munzon top-scored with 24 points for the Dyip as it fell to a 0-2 slate.
Meanwhile, Paul Lee came up with clutch baskets down the stretch as Magnolia Hotshots notched an 89-79 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings to remain unbeaten in three matches.
After seeing Hotshots’ once 16-point lead turned to 77-79 with over two minutes left, Lee converted two free throws and a layup followed by an inside hit by Ian Sangalang for an 85-79 lead.
The Kings struggled to trim the deficit as Japeth Aguilar fumbled on two free throws. The Hotshots seized the win after two free throws from Lee and Andy Mark Barroca.
Lee finished with 22 points, Sangalang scored 17 markers, while Barroca and Calvin Abueva contributed 15 points each for the Hotshots. Stanley Pringle headed the defending champions Kings (1-2) with 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
In the first game, Arwind Santos drilled a game-winning basket with a second left as San Miguel Beermen (2-1) escaped with an 88-86 win over NorthPort Batang Pier (1-2). Santos ended up 17 points, five rebounds, and three blocks for the Beermen./PN
BOX SCORE:
NLEX 108 – Alas 21, Quinahan 19, Oftana 16, Cruz 15, Semerad 13, Soyud 7, Ravena 5, Miranda 4, Trollano 4, Porter 4.
TERRAFIRMA 94 – Munzon 24, Ramos 17, Cahilig 10, Adams 9, Mccarthy 8, Calvo 7, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Tiongson 5, Laput 4, Gabayni 2, Celda 2, Balagasay 0, Batiller 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
23-25, 41-44, 73-69, 108-94./PN
