No Bolick, no problem as NLEX shames SMB

Sports

THE NLEX Road Warriors pulled off a stunner of a win when they took down the mighty San Miguel Beermen, 100-96, in the 50th PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night, Oct. 8, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The Road Warriors didn’t even need their top gun in completing the massive upset as star guard Robert Bolick wasn’t around following the death of his father.

The Beermen looked headed for a dominant win after posting a 42-32 lead at the half.

The Road Warriors turned things around in the second half as Jonnel Policarpio, Brandon Ramirez, and JB Bahio rose to the occasion to shame the June Mar Fajardo-led Beermen.

Policarpio and Ramirez scored 16 points each while Bahio piled up 12 points and 12 rebounds. Kevin Alas also scored in double figures for NLEX with 13 markers.

Policarpio unloaded 12 of his total output in the second half as the Road Warriors moved within 66-67 after the third quarter and sustained the momentum the rest of the way.

Fajardo led the Beermen with 18 points while Don Trollano had 17 markers.

Trollano was responsible for the Beermen’s downfall, committing one crucial error after another in the endgame, including a turnover in the game’s last possession.

THE SCORES:

NLEX (85) - Ramirez 16, Policarpio 16, Alas 13, Bahio 12, Rodger 9, Valdez 6, Amer 5, Semerad 4, Torres 2, Nieto 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.QUARTERSCORES: 22-25, 32-42, 66-67, 85-84.(CCM)