NLEX topples Rain or Shine for back-to-back wins

NLEX notched its third win after beating the Rain or Shine, 94-74, in the elimination round of the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday.

The Elasto Painters came within single digits with 5:17 left in the fourth quarter after a Gabe Norwood basket, 79-71, but the Road Warriors answered back with their own run.

Triples from JR Quinahan, Anthony Semerad, and Kiefer Ravena widened the gap to  90-74 with 2:06 left, while shots from Jericho Cruz and Raul Soyud iced the game.

The win was NLEX' second straight victory in the bubble after taking down league-leading TNT last week.

Cruz and Kevin Alas combined for 35 points of the Road Warriors' output, while Rey Nambatac and Jewel Ponferada led the E-Painters with 15 and 10 markers, respectively.

NLEX (3-5) will play San Miguel Beer on Friday, while Rain or Shine, which dropped to 4-2, will be back in action on Thursday against the Meralco Bolts.

Box scores:

NLEX 94 — Alas 18, Cruz 17, Quinahan 13, Soyud 9, Miranda 8, Ravena 7, Semerad 7, Galanza 5, Paniamogan 5, Varilla 3, Mcaloney 2.

Rain or Shine 74 — Nambatac 15, Ponferada 10, Norwood 7, Rivero 7, Rosales 7, Torres 7, Belga 7, Mocon 5, Borboran 5, Wong 3, Onwubere 1, Tolentino 0, Doliguez 0, Arana 0, Yap 0.

—MGP, GMA News