NLEX nails semis seat over Cagayan

MANILA, Philippines - NLEX went on a scoring spree at the onset of the fourth and came from behind to beat Cagayan Valley, 84-75, and clinch an outright berth in the semifinals of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the JCSGO gym in Cubao yesterday.

The Road Warriors surprised the Rising Suns with a 19-3 blitz in the last period, turning a 60-62 deficit into a runaway victory that stretched the defending champions’ win run to seven.

NCAA MVP Ian Sanggalang fired 18 points, including eight in the final period that fueled NLEX breakaway run for the win that likewise extended the team’s overall streak to 24 games dating back to the semis of this tournament last January.

“Credit it to Cagayan. They really prepared for us. But we are just as determined to win the game for Greg (Slaughter). I thought we played very well in the fourth quarter,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

Slaughter debuted with nine points for the Road Warriors, who also drew 10 markers and 10 rebounds from Kirk Long and Jake Pascual, respectively.

Earlier, Allan Mangahas made 11 of his team’s 22 assists and snared a crucial rebound in the closing seconds as Blackwater Sports thwarted Informatics, 67-64, for its fourth straight win after an opening game setback.

The Rising Suns kept the game close for three quarters by slowing down the Road Warriors with their physical game and strong rebounding, even surging to the lead heading to the fourth period.

But the Road Warriors’ playoff experience and deep bench made the difference in the end.

“We have to check our defense. We’re on and off in that department. We play D only when we want to. We can’t do that. The playoffs are won by defense so we better start playing defense with consistency,” Fernandez said.

Despite the presence of the seven-foot Slaughter, the Road Warriors got beaten off the boards, 38-52.

Eliud Poligrates scored 16 points, Edrian Lao had 15 and Mark Cruz added 11 for the Rising Suns, who dropped to third with a 4-2 mark.