By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE NLEX Road Warriors stayed unscathed in the season-ending Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup after they booked their third straight triumph with a 115-109 victory over the Blackwater Elite on Sunday at the Sta. Rosa Multipurpose Complex in Laguna.

On the lead of import Ola Ashaolu and Kiefer Ravena, the Road Warriors outlasted the Elite in a virtual fire fight to race to a 3-0 record and keep their spot at the top of the heap while sending Blackwater to its second straight defeat.

Mr. Ashaolu had a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds while Mr. Ravena had 25 points seven rebounds and seven assists.

The two teams split the opening half with Blackwater having its way, 25-19, in the opening quarter before NLEX exploded for 33 points in the second quarter to take a 52-46 lead at the break.

The two teams kept going at it in the third frame but the Road Warriors kept their head afloat, 85-81, with one more quarter to play.

In the fourth period, Messrs. Ravena and Ashaolu powered their team to a 21-14 run in the first seven minutes to help NLEX build a double-digit lead, 106-95.

Ray Parks Jr., Paul Desiderio and Mac Belo towed the Elite to within six points, 113-107, with 1:20 remaining in the game.

They, however, would not go near beyond six points as NLEX held on for the win.

Philip Paniamogan, Kevin Ighalo and JR Quiñahan scored 10 points or more for NLEX, which next plays the San Miguel Beermen on Oct. 4 in an overseas game in Dubai.

Leading the way, meanwhile, for Blackwater (0-2) was Parks who had 28 points, followed by Desiderio with 24 points.

Import Marqus Blakely had a better outing for the Elite than his first game, finishing with 18 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists.

Blackwater next plays on Oct. 5 versus the Northport Batang Pier.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR