Warriors struggle a new, edge Elite

Games Tuesday (Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym)

12 p.m. – Cagayan Valley Rising Suns vs JRU

2 p.m. – Erase Xfoliant vs Big Chill

MANILA, Philippines - NLEX clamped down on defense at endgame and escaped with a 70-68 victory over Blackwater Sports as the Road Warriors regained their winning ways in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City yesterday. 

Ronald Pascual scored 12 points while RR Garcia added 11 markers but the Warriors needed a couple of defensive stops to hold off the rallying Elite and bounce back from their stunning setback to the Café France Bakers for an 8-1 card.

“The last six players who closed the game did an excellent defensive effort and that’s why we won,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez referring to Baser Amer, Uping Sumalinog, Kirk Long, Nico Salva, Eric Camson and Jake Pascual.

The Elite actually had a chance to force overtime but Ian Mazo flubbed a 10-footer from the left corner as time expired. 

Amer, a reserve guard from San Beda, opened the fourth period with a three-point-play as the defending champions broke a 52-all count after three quarters to seize control for good.

Karim Abdul and Ferrer each scored 13 points for Blackwater Sports, which dropped to 4-2 in a tie with Café France, Big Chill and Cagayan Valley.

Earlier, Jeff Viernes scored 18 points and Roider Cabrera hit four triples as Boracay Rum dispatched Informatics, 74-66, to stay in the quarterfinals race. 

It was the Waves’ second straight win after a 0-5 start while the Icons took their seventh straight loss.

Maclean Sabellina, in a slump the past six games, bounced back with 12 points and completed a double-double effort with 16 rebounds for the Waves, who took control late in the third behind a 16-1 run.