NLEX stuns defending champion San Miguel, dedicates win to grieving Bolick

Jonnel Policarpio, Brandon Ramirez, and JB Bahio all play key roles as NLEX bucks the absence of Robert Bolick in pulling off an exciting win over defending All-Filipino champion San Miguel

ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Rallying behind grieving star Robert Bolick, NLEX denied defending champion San Miguel a successful begin within the PBA Philippine Cup.

Jonnel Policarpio, Brandon Ramirez, and JB Bahio all performed key roles because the Street Warriors bucked the absence of Bolick in pulling off an exciting 85-84 win over the Beermen on the Ynares Middle on Wednesday, October 8.

Bolick missed the sport, which got here simply a few days after his American father died.

Happily for NLEX, others rose to the event, with Ramirez and Policarpio churning out 16 factors every and Bahio placing up a double-double of 12 factors and 12 rebounds.

“We’re making an attempt to dedicate this sport to Berto’s father who handed away,” stated Street Warriors coach Jong Uichico. “He was speculated to play in the present day earlier than leaving however we perceive that he needs to be together with his father for the final time.”

NLEX erased a double-digit deficit and grabbed a precarious 85-80 lead off a pair of Bahio free throws with underneath 20 seconds remaining earlier than practically seeing the win slip away.

A four-pointer by Don Trollano made it a one-point sport and two missed foul pictures by Bahio gave San Miguel a crack on the victory.

However Trollano, unaware of the time, handed up on a possible game-winning shot and threw the ball away because the buzzer sounded.

With out Bolick, Kevin Alas helped shoulder the scoring load with 13 factors on prime of 5 rebounds and a pair of steals, whereas Richie Rodger added 9 factors.

Newly topped nine-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo starred for San Miguel with 18 factors, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists, however he was neutralized when it mattered most, scoring simply 2 factors within the fourth quarter.

Trollano completed with 17 factors, 5 assists, and three steals, whereas Jericho Cruz chipped in 12 factors and 6 rebounds.

A member of the First Legendary Crew along with Fajardo, CJ Perez noticed motion for simply 4:20 minutes and tallied 2 factors as he continues to recuperate from an ankle damage.

The Scores

NLEX 85 – Policarpio 16, Ramirez 16, Alas 13, Bahio 12, Rodger 9, Valdez 6, Amer 5, Semerad 4, Nieto 2, Torres 2, Fajardo 0, Herndon 0.

San Miguel 84 – Fajardo 18, Trollano 17, Cruz 12, Lassiter 8, Tiongson 7, Brondial 7, Tautuaa 6, Cahilig 5, Teng 2, Perez 2, Ross 0, Miller 0.

Quarters: 22-25, 32-42, 66-67, 85-84.

– Rappler.com