PBA: Bolick, Valdez connive as NLEX conquers Meralco

NLEX made sure there was no collapse this time around, gutting out a nail-biting 99-96 win against Meralco to regain its winning ways in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Robert Bolick and rookie Enoch Valdez took turns in steering the Road Warriors in improving to 2-1 to grab the solo third spot while sending the Bolts to a 1-2 card. 

Bolick steadily sank two free throws that would give NLEX a slim 92-91 lead before Valdez made it a three-point cushion for the Frankie Lim-mentored squad after completing a layup in the final 39 seconds of the payoff period. 

Bolick grabbed a crucial rebound off a Chris Newsome's missed triple then buried two freebies followed by another two from Anthony Semerad for a 98-91 cushion. 

Things turned interesting when Newsome made the first two of his three free throws, missed the last one, and then issued a pass to Allein Maliksi, who knocked down a corner three-pointer to cut the deficit to two with only 21 seconds left. 

Valdez, though, split his charities to give his side a pivotal 99-96 lead as Newsome went wide on his final attempt from deep. 

Bolick finished with 26 points together with eight rebounds and four assists while Valdez chipped in 12 markers, six boards, three steals, and one block as they recovered from a 99-95 loss to Terrafirma last Sunday. 

Newsome paced Meralco with 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block while Toto Jose and Maliksi chimed in with 14 and 12 markers apiece. 

Scores:

NLEX 99 – Bolick 26, Nermal 12, Valdez 11, Herndon 9, Semerad 9, Marcelo 7, Miranda 7, Fajardo 6, Nieto 5, Amer 3, Pascual 2, Ular 2.

Meralco 96– Newsome 22, Jose 14, Almazan 13, Maliksi 12, Hodge 10, Torres 9, Black 5, Quinto 5, Banchero 4, Rios 2, Mendoza 0, Caram 0, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 26-28, 51-43, 64-72, 99-96.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News