NLEX FALLS TO EGYPT’S ZAMALEK, TAKES ON MOROCCO’s SALE IN QF
DUBAI – Zamalek of Egypt pulled the rug from under NLEX, 73-67, at the end of the 26th Dubai International Basketball Tournament group play at the Al Ahli Club here late Tuesday evening (Wednesday morning Manila time).
Playing their third game in as many nights, the Road Warriors just couldn’t get their game going. Coach Boyet Fernandez’s wards committed 27 turnovers which resulted in 24 points for the Egyptian ballclub. In contrast, the latter turned the ball over only eight times, which netted only four points for NLEX.
Import Tymell Murphy had 22 points to lead Zamalek, which started to seize control in the second quarter. Sherif Abdalla and Corey Williams added 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Al Thornton paced NLEX with 18 points and nine rebounds, but he also accounted for eight costly miscues. KG Canaleta, Mac Cardona and Asi Taulava scored 12 points apiece.
“There were calls that should have gone our way but didn’t. But no excuses. We also committed a lot of mistakes,” said NLEX team manager Ronald Dulatre.
The Road Warriors thus ended the eliminations with an even 2-2 card to place third in Group A. They go up against Moroccan ballclub Sale, which placed second in Group B, in the knockout quarterfinals Thursday.
“We’ll just go all out against Morocco for a place in the semis. We just need to focus better,” Dulatre added. (JL)
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