PBA: Winston, Bolick combine for 62 as NLEX zooms past Phoenix

ANTIPOLO (UPDATED) — The duo of Schonny Winston and Robert Bolick combined for a huge scoring night to steer the NLEX Road Warriors closer to the PBA Season 50 Governors Cup semifinals. 

Winston and Bolick dropped 31 points each to lift NLEX past a gritty Phoenix Fuel Masters team in Game 2, 124-117, on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. 

It was a back and forth affair with no team taking a double digit lead until the third quarter, as both teams had an answer for each other’s runs.  

But in the final frame, the Road Warriors went on a 9-0 spree in the final minutes to stay in the driver’s seat and eventually come away with the victory. 

Bolick erupted for 13 points in the first quarter, leading the scoring at the half with 21 points off a 50% shooting clip. 

Winston came alive in the third quarter, scoring 13 of his total 31 points to keep NLEX ahead of Phoenix down the stretch. 

The local cast got support from Deonte Burton who  added 24 markers, 10 rebounds and two steals in the win. 

“I challenged our guys in the second half. There was no way we were going to win this game tonight defending that way. And I think in the second half, we only gave up 45 points instead of 72, and I thought that was the biggest difference,” head coach Jimmy Alapag said in the post-game press conference. 

“Obviously, Berto, Schonny, DB all had big games, but I thought it was our defensive effort in the second half,” he added 

Alapag emphasized how crucial their defensive adjustments were in helping them pull away from Phoenix, especially in the final frame. 

“I thought we let their guards get loose in the first half. They got multiple contributions from tough end, from Ricci [Rivero], [Gian] Mamuyac, to [Tyler] Tio. But I thought, again, our activity defensively in the second half, most especially during that 9-0 run, allowed us to get out and transition,” he pointed out. 

Winston earned player of the game honors after his career-high performance, and gave credit to his teammates as well. 

“We knew this game was going to be harder than the first game, because their backs against the wall. We just wanted to make sure we just come out super aggressive, and match their intensity. They’re really aggressive in this game, so we just wanted to continue to fight the whole way through,” he said. 

Import Marcellus Earlington led the way for the Fuel Masters with 22 points, while Ricci Rivero and Kai Ballungay added 21 markers each in the tough loss. 

With the victory, the Road Warriors are now 2-0 against the Fuel Masters and are one win away from entering the semifinals under first-time head coach Jimmy Alapag. 

“The series isn’t done. That’s why it’s a race to three. You know, same mindset going into game three. Watch the film tonight, see how we can be better,” he said.

NLEX aims to finish the series against Phoenix in Game 3 on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.  

NLEX 124 – Winston 31, Bolick 31, Burton 24, Alas, 12, Semerad 8, Bahio 8, Gonzales 4, Valdez 4, Herndon 2   

Phoenix 117 – Earlington 22, Rivero 21, Ballungay 21, Mamuyac 18, Tuffin 17, Tio 15, Escandor 3 

Quarter scores: 33-35, 72-68, 94-93, 117-124