NLEX combined some hard work with a veritable luck of the draw in beating TNT, 91-74, Wednesday for a second straight victory in the Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
John Bryle Bahio outdid himself with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds while fellow rookie Xyrus Torres and veteran Robert Bolick also had 13 points each in leading a Road Warriors charge that started in the second quarter and gained full steam in the third period.
So completely in control was NLEX that it even posted as much as a 91-69 lead before cruising to the fitting follow up to its 109-95 conquest of Rain or Shine just before the league took a Holy Week break.
Winning coach Jong Uichico said his team's mix of fresh legs and more experienced players are reaping the fruits he hoped for, helping his Road Warriors improve to a 2-1 slate overall.
"We need young players to give the energy even while the veterans are out and then they give another dimension to our game. It also challenges the veterans to play as hard as the young ones do - and vice versa also," said Uichico.
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It also didn't hurt that the game came after TNT had just returned from a much-needed respite following its Commissioner's Cup title drive that ended only last March 28.
"Alam natin na maiksi lang 'yung practice time nila. Nandoon pa rin naman 'yung sistema nila, hindi nagbabago," noted Uichico before adding the Tropang 5G have not yet fully shaken off the aftereffects of their latest championship.
"Siyempre, coming off a championship, tapos ilang araw lang (sila) nakapag-practice. May kasabihan nga, eh... 'yung ano, hangover sa championship. May ganoon talaga, eh," offered Uichico.
"But in due time makaka-recover din sila. Suwerte nga din kami... medyo nangangapa pa sila. So ano lang kami, na-timing din."
Javee Mocon, Enoch Valdez and Brandon Ramirez also did their part with at least 10 points and five rebounds each for NLEX.
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"Akin lang, ibinibigay ko lang best ko. Di ko lang sinasayang 'yung opportunity na ibinibigay ni coach Jong. Ibinibigay ko lang a hundred percent ko every game," said Bahio, who went into the game averaging just 9.0 points in NLEX's first two games.
In the end, the Road Warriors missed a total 11 free throws but more than made up for those by hauling down 18 offensifve rebounds that gave them a 17-0 advantage in second chance points.
Roger Pogoy's 12 points and Kelly Williams' 11 were the only double-digit scores for TNT, which must do some needed tinkering before it goes up against Converge on Sunday. (NC)
