THE NLEX Road Warriors prevailed in a battle of league-leaders, battling back from an early double-digit deficit to flatten the Magnolia Hotshots, 107-99, in the 49th PBA Philippine Cup on Friday night, June 6, at the PhilSports Arena.

The two squads came into the match tied at No. 1 spot in the team standings with 7-2 (win-loss) cards. The Hotshots fired the first shot, leading by as many as 17 points early and closed the first period with a 32-15 lead.

With the Hotshots threatening to break away, the Road Warriors went to work, coming up with a vicious answer to the tune of a 29-14 assault that shoved them within 44-46 at the half.

The Road Warriors stayed hot in the third period where Robert Bolick sparked a fiery run by knocking down a pair of four-point bombs in a 29-14 assault, allowing NLEX to seize an 80-70 lead with only one quarter left to play.

It was all NLEX in the payoff period as it cruised to the impressive win that assured them of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round.

NLEX’s last game in the elimination round will be against the slumping NorthPort Batang Pier on June 11. Magnolia is still in contention for one of the three remaining twice-to-beat bonuses but will be in a must-win situation against the TNT Tropang 5G on June 13.

Bolick led the Road Warriors with 25 points. Xyrus Torres pitched in 22 points and Brandon Ramirez pitched in 18.

Zavi Lucero fired 23 points and Ian Sangalang scattered 21 markers but the Hotshots dropped to 0-2 since acquiring William Navarro from NorthPort in exchange for Calvin Abueva.

THE SCORES:

NLEX (107) - Bolick 25, Torres 22, Ramirez 18, Policarpio 12, Mocon 10, Alas 9, Bahio 5, Valdez 4, Nieto 2, Semerad 0, Miranda 0, Herndon 0.

MAGNOLIA (99) - Lucero 23, Sangalang 21, Lastimosa 17, Lee 16, Ahanmisi 8, Alfaro 4, Dionisio 4, Barroca 2, Navarro 2, Laput 2, Dela Rosa 0.QUARTERSCORES: 15-32, 44-46, 80-70, 107-99.(CCM)

Write to New MyTV I.T.

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