CANALETA WAXES HOT AS NLEX MAKES IT 4 IN A ROW
AL THORNTON did not come up with another big game as was expected Sunday, but Nino “KG” Canaleta did.
Canaleta came off the bench to deliver a personal season-high 29 points to lead the Road Warriors over GlobalPort, 94-81, that stretched their hot streak in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The five-time Slam Dunk champion was chiefly responsible for NLEX’s break from a tight contest right in the third period before continuing his fiery show in the fourth that pointed his team to its fourth straight win, further extending the young franchise’s longest win streak ever.
After scoring a season-high 50 points in a 96-90 win over Barangay Ginebra last Wednesday Thornton netted just 19 this time — his second-lowest this conference — carved out against the double-teaming defense that usually left one player open.
And usually, it was Canaleta and he did not disappoint as he made 11 of 16 shots, including a 6-for-10 clip from beyond the arc.
“Alam namin na i-do-double o kaya i-tri-triple team si Al kaya gusto ko lang maging ready. Kapag open, shoot lang ng shoot at pumapasok naman,” said the 33-year-old, who recorded his highest output since scoring 32 for Air21 in an OT loss to Meralco Jan. 4 last year in last season’s Philippine Cup.
“I salute KG for this game. Most of his points came at crucial times,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez, whose team improved to a 5-4 win-loss record overall and could claim one of the eight spots in quarterfinals should it wind up the eliminations with wins against Kia on Wednesday and Barako Bull next Tuesday.
“Good indication for us against Kia, this game against GlobalPort, because they also have a big guy,” noted Fernandez, referring to the Carnival’s 7-foot-3 PJ Ramos.
“That game will again test our defense,” added Fernandez. “Our offense has always been there but it’s our defense we must continue working on.”
Derrick Caracter debuted with 27 points and 10 rebounds, but the absence of Stanley Pringle and the 12 points, seven rebounds and heady playmaking he usually dishes out ultimately told on GlobalPort’s bid.
Pringle sprained his right ankle during practice and was rested for GlobalPort’s remaining elims schedule against Barangay Ginebra on Saturday in Lucena City and San Miguel Beer next Tuesday.
Playing extended minutes took its toll on Terrence Romeo as he scored 19 points but only on a 7-for-20 clip. David Semerad added 12 and Keith Jensen waxed hot late to finish with eight, but the Batang Pier dropped their second straight game and are now 4-5.
Thornton added 10 rebounds and he scored eight of his markers in the third period. Turned out he was merely setting the stage up for Canaleta.
Canaleta’s eight points, capped by a breakaway dunk, highlighted a 12-2 run that gave NLEX a 65-53 cushion going into the final canto. He added 14 more there and the Road Warriors saw their lead balloon to as much as 84-68, only 4:37 to go.
GlobalPort simply couldn’t muster any uprising the rest of the way.
Caracter, the 26-year-old former Los Angeles Laker, arrived last Tuesday to replace Calvin Warner. The 6-4 15/16 Warner, who averaged 20.7 points and a league-high 23.3 rebounds in four games, is to be tapped for the third conference should the Batang Pier finish among the top eight and be restricted to an import with a 6-5 ceiling.
Thornton was limited to just five points at the half on 1-for-7 field shooting, but NLEX still took a 40-36 lead at the break due to Aldrech Ramos, who scored 10 of his 12 halftime points during the second quarter.
Caracter, meanwhile, scattered 13 of his first 20 points during the second period, including seven straight that knotted the count at 32.
With Semerad and Caracter leading the way, GlobalPort kept pounding away and drew within 52-53. But that would prove to be the closest it got. (NC)
The scores:
NLEX 94 – Canaleta 29, Thornton 19, Ramos 14, Taulava 8, Lingganay 7, Villanueva E. 4, Borboran 4, Baloria 3, Cardona 2, Villanueva J. 2, Arboleda H. 2.
GLOBALPORT 81 – Caracter 27, Romeo 19, Semerad 12, Jensen 8, Nabong 6, Miranda 5, Espinas 3, Ponferrada 1, Buenafe 0, Isip 0, Pinto 0.
Quarterscores: 20-16, 40-36, 65-53, 94-81
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