NLEX wards off NorthPort

MANILA, Philippines -- The NLEX Road Warriors quelled a furious comeback rally by the NorthPort Batang Pier to secure their second win in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, 112-104, Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

NLEX led by as much as 17 points, 85-68, with 2:58 remaining in the third quarter following a layup by Robbie Herndon.

But NorthPort outscored the Road Warriors 23-10 as they cut the lead to four, 91-95, with a layup by Joshua Munzon with 6:56 remaining in the game.

However, Thomas Robinson answered on the other end with a jumper that pushed the lead back to six, 97-91.

The lead ballooned to double-digits anew, 107-96, following a layup by Robinson with 2:22 remaining.

The cushion was just too much as the Batang Pier only managed to cut the lead to eight at the least.

NLEX led by as much as 14 points, 37-23, as early as the first quarter with a Herndon layup in the wire-to-wire affair.

Robinson led the Road Warriors with 30 points and 18 rebounds.

Don Trollano followed with 29 big points on 11-of-20 shooting.

Munzon led NorthPort with 22 points,  shooting 45% from the field. Import Venky Jois had 20 points, 19 rebounds and four rebounds for the Batang Pier.

Both teams are now holding identical 2-2 win-loss slates.