MANILA, Philippines – It was close, but the NLEX Road Warriors managed to avoid the upset.
Led by the strong play of 42-year-old veteran Asi Taulava and team newcomer Sean Anthony, the NLEX Road Warriors were able to win their PBA Season 41 opening game against the Blackwater Elite, 90-86, on Friday, October 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Trailing for most of the first half against the clear-cut worst team in the PBA last season, the Road Warriors rallied to open the third period and at one point extended their lead to 8, before the Elite went on a run of their own that allowed the game to go down the wire.
Taulava finished with 19 points and 12 boards, while Anthony nearly picked up a triple-double with 14 points, 12 boards, and 7 assists.
It was also an impressive debut for rookie Simon Enciso, who NLEX obtained in an offseason trade with Rain or Shine and registered 15 points on 5 triples on Friday.
“Tough win, and at least Sean really stepped up in the fourth. Asi made his free throws, and our defense really held up against Blackwater,” second-year Road Warriors head coach Boyet Fernandez said following the win.
“I just told my boys, the guys (after the first half), that even though we’re down, we just have to stay in our system and we know we’ll get back.”
The Road Warriors seemed to have the victory in hand when they went ahead 85-78 with 3:22 to go after a Mark Borboran jump shot.
The Elite responded with a 6-0 spurt coming from Reil Cervantes and rookie Keith Agovida, who led his team in scoring in his first game with 15 points.
After Cervantes missed a free throw that could have tied the game, Taulava was fouled with 39 seconds remaining and made both shots. Agovida then made a clutch shot of his own to trim the lead back down to one with 32 seconds to go.
Anthony then missed a shot but Taulava grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. After he made both charities again with 19 seconds to go, Cervantes hesitated and then missed a game-tying 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining.
Anthony was fouled and then split his free throws, but Raphy Reyes missed a 3-pointer to seal the loss.
“This will be a good lesson for us, and [we’ll] learn from this, and we’re looking forward to our next game,” said Fernandez, whose team goes up against Barako Bull next.
Cervantes recorded 12 points while Reyes had 13 for the Elite, who played without first-round pick Art Dela Cruz since he’s currently seeing action for the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA Finals against the Letran Knights.
NLEX will take on Barako Bull next Wednesday, October 28, while the Elite take on the Alaska Aces on Friday, October 30.
Scores:
NLEX (90): Taulava 19, Enciso 15, Anthony 13, Borboran 10, Villanueva 8, Apinan 6, Cardona 5, Reyes 5, Alas 4, Khobuntin 4, Arboleda 0, Camson 0, Raymundo 0, Villanueva 0
Blackwater (86): Agovida 15, Reyes 13, Cervantes 12, Ballesteros 10, Lastimosa 7, Gamalinda 6, Sena 6, Cortez 5, Melano 5, Canada 3, Erram 2, Golla 2, Bulawan 0, Vosotros 0
Quarter scores: 17-26, 41-42, 60-59, 90-86
More details to follow. – Rappler.com