NLEX survives 40-point outburst of Blackwater's King for breakthrough win

NLEX quickly recovered from a previous loss and broke through in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup after eking out a 107-95 win over Blackwater on Saturday in Ynares Center, Antipolo City. 

The Road Warriors, who were coming off a 114-87 loss to NorthPort last Thursday, leaned on import Michael Griffin-Watkins and Robert Bolick as they improved to 1-1 in the team standings. 

Griffin-Watkins picked up where he left off, churning out a monster double-double of 26 points and 25 rebounds while also grabbing three blocks and one assist. Bolick atoned for a three-point outing in the last game with 23 markers, 10 dimes, five boards, and two steals. 

"His (Griffin-Watkins) inside presence gave Blackwater some trouble. Mas malaki 'yung positive effect ng inside game ni Watkins compared to King's 40 points," NLEX coach Jong Uichico said.

"It (loss to NorthPort) was embarrassing, really, the game we played so [with the] one-day preparation, there's not much adjustment."

NLEX had a tweak in its starting unit by injecting Xyrus Torres and it paid off for the Road Warriors with the former FEU standout collecting 12 points while Richie Rodger posted 14 markers.

They, however, had to survive the storm that was George King, who exploded for a huge-40 point game, 12 of which he dropped in the pivotal fourth quarter. 

King, however, failed to get help from the locals with Justin Chua the lone other player in double digit scoring after tallying 13 markers as they fell to 0-2. 

Scores:

NLEX 107 – Watkins 26, Bolick 23, Rodger 14, Torres 12, Valdez 11, Semerad 8, Amer 6, Herndon 3, Bahio 2, Mocon 2, Policarpio 0, Nermal 0.

Blackwater 95 – King 40, Chua 13, Tungcab 8, Kwekuteye 8, David 8, Montalbo 8, Ilagan 5, Escoto 5, Guinto 0, Jopia 0, Ponferrada 0, Suerte 0, Hill 0.

Quarters: 22-17, 53-46, 81-69, 107-95.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News