‘Em-bracing’ the issue, Thornton lifts NLEX

MANILA, Philippines - Al Thornton, convinced he could be a better player minus his knee brace, showed his worth as a former NBA star, powering NLEX to an emphatic 106-79 victory over Blackwater last night for its first win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Without his knee support that he’d been wearing for years since suffering a meniscal tear, Thornton exploded for 39 points on a 14-of-20 field shooting spiked by 7-of-8 free throws in a big turnaround from his 11-point struggle against Purefoods when his knee brace was put in question.

“He didn’t start that game (NLEX-Purefoods) as we had to put extra padding on his brace before he was allowed to use it. He’s been using it everywhere he plays then it became an issue here. He’s messed up with that brace issue,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

“We had a pep talk after that and, thankfully, he understood the situation. He played with guts, and now he knows that he can play without that brace,” Fernandez also said.

The Alaska team had earlier called the PBA officials’ attention, saying Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel sustained injuries in collisions with Thornton’s hard knee brace.

With the NLEX locals rallying behind Thornton, the Road Warriors broke into the win-column in the mid-season conference, pulling off the most lopsided victory in the tourney thus far.

The victory was a big rebound from their 25-point blowout loss to the Purefoods Star Hotshots and after earlier losses to Rain or Shine and Alaska.

KG Canaleta, Rudy Lingganay, Jonas Villanueva, Rico Villanueva, Asi Taulava, Borgie Hermida and Mark Cardona all scored at least seven points each in a balanced local scoring as they kept their supremacy over fellow PBA newcomer Blackwater, foiling the Elite’s bid for back-to-back triumphs following their huge upset of the San Miguel Beermen.

“We’d been practicing really well but it didn’t materialize in the game. Finally, we showed that we can win,” said Fernandez.

The Road Warriors won in smashing fashion, demolishing a Blackwater team that was suddenly back on its losing way six days after a 80-77 shocker of a win over San Miguel.

Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Marcus Douthit had a woeful 5-of-21 shooting for only 15 points.

Chris Banchero made nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter while Dondon Hontiveros nailed six crucial charities in the final minute as Alaska Milk scored some measure of revenge against Philippine Cup finals tormentor San Miguel Beer, carving out a 107-100 win later in the night.

Banchero and Hontiveros carried the load in the payoff quarter for the Aces who bucked injuries to several key players and an early 11-0-point deficit in chalking up a second win against two losses.

Continuing to grope for form after their all-Filipino title run, the Beermen reeled with a fourth straight loss.

Overpowering Blackwater on all fronts, the Road Warriors raced to a 55-27 halftime lead and never let up all the way to posting their first win since their 10th place finish in the Philippine Cup marked by four triumphs against seven losses.

“Thornton was a big difference. He understood the situation and his energy rubbed off to his teammates,” said Fernandez.