NLEX Road Warriors’ Robert Bolick during a PBA Philippine Cup against Blackwater Bossing. –PBA IMAGES
MONTALBAN, Rizal—Robert Bolick scored half of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as NLEX overcame shorthanded Blackwater, 80-72, to extend its winning run to three straight games in the PBA Philippine Cup at newly-built Ynares Center II here.
Bolick knocked down shots from the outside which allowed the Road Warriors to keep the Bossing at bay and eventually improve to 3-1 in the conference for a share of second with the idle San Miguel Beermen.
Rookie JB Bahio also had another solid showing with 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists while Kevin Alas and Dominic Fajardo made good use of their extended minutes to score 10 points apiece off the bench.
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The Road Warriors won in this town that hosted a PBA doubleheader for the first time. The venue was christened last month.
The win opens a tough stretch for NLEX starting on May 7 with a faceoff against Barangay Ginebra at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
The contest was a low-scoring affair until the offense picked up in the fourth with Bolick lighting it up from deep.
Blackwater fell to 1-3 after playing minus rookie Sedrick Barefield, who was sidelined by a hamstring injury sustained in last week’s victory over NorthPort at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Adding to its woes was the early exit of Christian David after sustaining a sprained ankle almost four minutes into the game.
BJ Andrade, acquired from Converge for Rey Suerte before the all-Filipino began, scored 15 points to lead Blackwater.
The Bossing will also return to action on May 7 opposite the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.