PLAYING like a man on a mission, import Ola Adeogun was all business, pouring in a double-double performance while leading NLEX-SCTEX to a hard-fought 91-86 win over erstwhile unbeaten Cars Unlimited-FEU NRMF in the Marikina City Basketball League (MCBL).
Mr. Adeogun, who led the San Beda Red Lions to numerous championships in the NCAA, finished with 22 points and 17 boards for the Road Warriors.
Mr. Adeogun’s double-double nearly overshadowed Byron Villarias’ solid game.
Mr. Villarias, cousin of Gilas standout and second overall rookie pick Kiefer Ravena, led the way for NLEX-SCTEX with 24 points.
Ex-PBA player JP Belencion also came up with a steady game, knocking in 19 markers, including six triples, while Alfred Batino added 16 points and eight rebounds for the Road Warriors.
Cars Unlimited-FEU NRMF, which paraded Lyceum Pirates stalwarts CJ Perez and Mike Nzeusseu, was led by Dionte Ferguson, who had 15 points and 16 rebounds.
But Mr. Perez, the reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player, was limited to only two markers while Mr. Nzeusseu had 11 points.
Messrs. Villarias and Belencion’s baskets in the endgame propelled the Road Warriors’ win in a gut-wrenching match.
Mr. Belencion’s sixth triple of the game with 2:26 left put the Road Warriors ahead by five, 88-83.
A dunk by Mr. Ferguson and split charities from Gryann Mendoza shoved Cars Unlimited-FEU NRMF to within a basket, 88-86, but Mr. Villarias got away from his defenders and scored on a nifty lay up to shove his team on safer grounds with 1:07 left.
Cars Unlimited-FEU NRMF didn’t score from there. — Rey Joble
