The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
THERE is no denying NLEX a special place in franchise history and it was evidenced by its 137-89 domination of hapless Phoenix Super LPG Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to make the semifinals first in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Robert Bolick set the tone with 16 of his game-high 23 points right in the opening quarter before the rest of coach Jimmy Alapag’s crew joined the fray to complete the rout and wrap up the best-of-five quarterfinals duel via a three-game sweep.
“Extremely, extremely proud of our guys,” said Alapag moments after steering NLEX to its first semis appearance since the 2021-22 edition of the same tournament.
Alapag, appointed as head coach just days before the conference started, also became the first chief tactician to make the semis in his very first conference and he deflected most of the credit to his players.
“The one thing that stood out… that first week together with this group, just the work ethic. Sobrang sipag sila, lahat sila. We practice early morning in the gym, and everybody’s in the gym two hours before practice starts nandoon na sila, ready to work,” related Alapag.
“I think that speaks not only to Berto (Bolick) but the entire group and I’m grateful for the opportunity to coach them and I’m extremely proud that we’re not only in the semifinals but now they’ve got a chance to do something great.”
The impending clash against the winner of the other quarterfinals pairing between Converge and Rain or Shine also marks the first time Bolick and most of his teammates would be in the semis and he said he just wants to put into game what he saw in Alapag as a player.
“Siyempre, nakita ko rin kung paano maglaro si coach, alam ko kung paano niya dinadala sarili niya,” offered Bolick, who shot 2-of-3 from triples and 2-of-3 from four-pointers to show the way in the opening quarter that ended with NLEX on top, 43-21.
“So gusto ko lang simulan ‘yung game ng ganoong klase ng intensity, para naman makita ng mga teammates ko na ready kami, lumalaban and once na nag-start iyon nag-snowball na lahat,” added Bolick.
The loss must sting for Phoenix as it is the worst under head coach Charles Tiu as well as in franchise history.
Even with Jason Perkins finally seeing action in the first 3:37 of the game and even booming in a triple, plus Marcellus Earlington netting 19 points and Kai Ballungay 16 markers, failed to boost the Fuel Masters who trailed by as much as 87-137. (NC)
The Scores:
NLEX 137 – Bolick 23, Burton 19, Winston 19, Alas 12, Gonzales 12, Valdez 10, Semerad 9, Herndon 9, Gamboa 7, Capulong 6, Torres 4, Marcelo 3, Racal 2, Bahio 2, Nieto 0, Rodger 0.
Phoenix 89 – Earlington 19, Ballungay 16, Mamuyac 11, Tuffin 10, Tio 10, Rivero 8, Cullar 6, Delos Santos 3, Perkins 3, Ando 3, Escandor 0, Santos 0.
Quarters: 43-21; 78-43; 107-71; 137-89.