JAVEE Mocon led those who picked up where Robert Bolick left off, powering NLEX to a crucial 105-93 win over Phoenix Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum that completed the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals cast.
Mocon scattered 13 of his 23 points in the fourth period, helping the Road Warriors break free from the clutches of a Fuel Masters side that was fighting to stay alive in the hunt for playoffs slots.
But with the likes of JB Bahio, Brandon Ramirez and Xyrus Torres also hitting some clutch shots, NLEX won't be denied a seventh win in nine games that put it just behind 7-1 leader Magnolia going to the latter's match against Barangay Ginebra later in the evening.
The loss was the Fuel Masters' seventh in nine games and even if they win their last two elimination round games, they would still fall short of advancing since the likes of TNT, Barangay Ginebra, Rain or Shine, Converge and Meralco already have five wins each.
The only thing to be decided are the rankings going to the last eight, especially the top four which would be rewarded with a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.
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NLEX has a clear crack at clinching such an enviable spot should it prevail over Magnolia on Friday and NorthPort on June 11, but coach Jong Uichico is at the present just proud of the way his charges stepped up to the challenge of overcoming their manpower problems.
"Maski kulang-kulang... they still did their utmost effort. Maski kahit na offensively things weren't falling our way... tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang trabaho nila," said Uichico, who was left with just nine healthy players following illness and injuries to the other Road Warriors.
That indeed proved to be not too much of a concern as five NLEX players scored in double figures with Mocon leading the way with 23 points and nine rebounds for his highest points total in an NLEX uniform.
Bolick followed suit with 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, with 15 of his points coming in the first quarter that enabled NLEX to take control of the match and even lead by as much as 40-27.
Bahio made his first three shots from the field and wound up with 15 points on a 7-of-10 clip, while Anthony Semerad chipped in 14 points and Torres 13.
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Phoenix did put up one gallant fight, even catching up with NLEX in the third quarter where the Fuel Masters knotted the count three times, the last at 64-all.
Each time, however, NLEX had an answer with Semerad stringing up seven points for a 73-64 lead.
Mocon then hogged the spotlight in the fourth period with nine straight points that gave the Road Warriors more separation at 92-82 before Ramirez and Torres helped out with the latter's second triple of the period making it an unassailable 105-93 count. (NC)
The Scores :
NLEX 105 - Mocon 23, Bolick 20, Bahio 15, Semerad 14, Torres 13, Nieto 8, Ramirez 6, Alas 3, Herndon 3.
PHOENIX 95 - Perkins 28, Tuffin 17, Ballungay 11, Tio 11, Garcia 11, Rivero 6, Camacho 4, Jazul 3, Manganti 2, Ular 2, Cullar 0, Soyud 0, Alejandro 0, Verano 0.
QUARTERS: 32-25, 55-47, 80-74, 105-95
