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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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04
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23
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
23
2024
Largely behind the efforts of Sean Anthony, Asi Taulava, Simon Enciso and Jonas Villanueva, NLEX pulled a first one over Talk n Text.
Anthony and Taulava sizzled all game long with Enciso and Villanueva having their own moments in the second half as NLEX upended Talk n Text, 107-101, and moved back in the upper half of the chart in the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
Anthony and Taulava churned out big numbers while Enciso and Jonas fueled key runs in the last 14 minutes as the Road Warriors came back from a 17-point deficit to beat the Texters for the first time since joining the league last year.
NLEX made a big rally from 54-71 down to forge a four-way logjam at fourth place with Talk n Text, Globalport and Barako Bull at 3-2.
Anthony finished with a career-high 32 points that went with 12 rebounds while Taulava came through with 18 markers and the same number of caroms.
Enciso and Villanueva also emerged as heroes with the former sparking their rally in the third quarter and the latter fueling their surge at the finish.
Enciso, NLEX’s prized catch from the Rookie Draft, scored 13 of his 19 points in the third while Villanueva put in all of his 10 points in the payoff period.
“It’s not on me. The credit really belongs to the players,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.
“It was a character test for us coming from two straight losses. We’re so glad to pull through,” Fernandez also said. “Beating TNT for the first time is a big boost for us.”
The Star Hotshots and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are the only teams left that the Road Warriors have yet to beat since joining the league last year.
A looping layup by Villanueva had NLEX moving ahead at 85-83 with 7:10 left to play.
Entering the last two minutes, Villanueva drained two treys that had the Road Warriors seizing control at 99-94.
With a tougher effort, the Texters took the half at 49-44 with a crucial 13-2 advantage on points off turnovers.
NLEX prevailed on all fronts except on errors in the first 24 minutes of play.
The Texters made crucial stops in a strong start that had them taking an early double-digit spread at 25-15.
The Road Warriors moved ahead, 35-32, on an eight-to-nothing roll in the second period, and the two teams engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle before the Texters sat on a five-point cushion at the turn.
The Scores
NLEX 107 – Anthony 32, Enciso 19, Taulava 18, J. Villanueva 10, Khobuntin 7, Camson 4, Reyes 4, Alas 3, Borboran 3, Lanete 3, Apinan 2, Cardona 2.
TNT 101 – Rosario 20, Fonacier 18, Seigle 17, Castro 15, Tautuaa 11, Carey 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, R. Reyes 6, Williams 2, Aban 0, Miranda 0, J. Reyes 0.
Quarters: 21-26, 44-49, 70-77, 107-101.
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