Bringas steps on gas in OT as Big Chill stuns NLEX

MANILA, Philippines -- Arvie Bringas strung up eleven points in overtime to lift Big Chill to a morale boosting 86-77 victory over the depleted NLEX Road Warriors on Tuesday at the start of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

It was a remarkable comeback by the Superchargers, who blew a 12-point second quarter advantage and appeared headed for a devastating defeat when RR Garcia scored on a baseline runner with 2:03 left in regulation for a 73-65 NLEX lead.

But the Superchargers showed some character and closed the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run to force overtime.

Then Bringas took over from there.

The Road Warriors had no answer for Bringas, who went 4 of 7 in the extra period. His 3-point play with 27.7 seconds left in overtime put the Superchargers ahead to stay, 79-77.   

“I love this team. It never gives up. I think we caught NLEX at the right time. They are still on celebration mood after winning the Aspirants’ Cup while we were so prepared against them,” offered Big Chill coach Robert Sison afterwards.

Earlier, Cebuana Lhuillier capitalized on a strong second half to beat Boracay Rum, 68-66, while , Fruitas needed just 10 minutes to dispose off newcomer Jumbo Plastic, 81-56, in the second game.

Alex Nuyles led all scorers with 22 points while Bringas finished with 19 for the Superchargers, who snapped a five-game losing skid against the Road Warriors.

“This is a morale boosting win for us. It gives us confidence. We believe that we can beat teams like NLEX. But beating NLEX is something… its like winning the championship,” Sison said.

The Road Warriors opened their second title defense without big men Ian Sanggalang and Greg Slaughter but nearly pulled a stunner late in the fourth.

NLEX trailed 57-61 when Garcia returned with 7:11 remaining in the fourth quarter and sparked a 16-4 run that gave the defending champions an eight point lead.

But the Road Warriors couldn’t hold on to the lead.  

Nico Salva and Eriuc Camson scored 14 points apiece while Garcia tallied 12 for the Road Warriors.

The scores:

Big Chill 86 – Nuyles 22, Bringas 19, Montilla 8, Villahermosa 8, Santos 8, Lozada 6, Montecastro 5, Heruela 4, Dumapig 4, Holstein 2, Canlas 2.

NLEX 77 – Salva 14, Camson 14, Garcia 12, Pascual 9, Long 8, Lanete 6, Alas 5, Pascual P. 4, Villarias 3, Ganuelas 2, Amer 0, Hermida 0.

Quarters: 20-15, 42-32; 53-54; 73-73, 86-77.