PBA: NLEX ousts Phoenix, clinches first semis berth since 2022 - GMA Network

NLEX closed out its quarterfinals bout against Phoenix in dominant fashion, pulling off a 137-89 thrashing in Game 3 of the best-of-five series on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

By sending the Fuel Masters packing, the Road Warriors reached their first semifinals for the first time since the 2021-2022 Governors' Cup, when they reached the Top 4 before losing to eventual champion Barangay Ginebra.

It also ended a string of QF heartbreaks for NLEX at least in the last three conferences, losing to Rain or Shine and San Miguel in the Season 49 and Season 50 Philippine Cup, respectively, before wasting a twice-to-beat bonus against TNT in the previous Commissioner's Cup.

Robert Bolick picked up where he left off, sparking their first-half breakaway from deep to finish with 23 points, five assists, and four rebounds while import Deonte Burton and Schonny Winston each poured in 19 markers.

Kevin Alas and LJay Gonzales each chipped in 12 points in the 48-point victory.

"Sabi nga ni coach, bihirang-bihira 'yung ganitong opportunities. And nakikita ko rin paano maglaro si coach, kung paano niya dinadala 'yung sarili niya," Bolick said.

"So gusto ko lang simulan 'yung game na may ganong intensity para naman makita ng teammates ko ready kami lumaban."

Bolick started it for the Road Warriors, who narrowly won over the Fuel Masters in the first two games.

Bolick, who was coming off a 31-point outburst in Game 2, dropped three four-pointers, including the one to send NLEX to a 43-21 lead at the end of the first quarter, while also sinking two triples in the first half as the Road Warriors closed it out enjoying a 78-43 cushion.

Winston, whose career-high 31-point outing also powered NLEX in Game 2, also caught fire early by dropping 12 in the first half to help spark the breakaway.

The Road Warriors never took their foot off the pedal the rest of the way with the several bench players putting the finishing kick. "Extremely, extremely proud of our guys. The one thing that stood out when I came back, that first week together, was just the work ethic. Sobrang sipag nilang lahat," NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag said.

"We practice early in the morning and everybody's in the gym two hours before the practice starts."

NLEX now gets an extended break as it awaits its semifinal opponent, which will be either Rain or Shine or Converge, who are locked in a 1-1 deadlock in the other semifinal series.

NLEX 137 – Bolick 23, Burton 19, Winston 19, Alas 12, Gonzales 12, Valdez 10, Semerad 9, Herndon 9, Gamboa 7, Capulong 6, Torres 4, Marcelo 3, Racal 2, Bahio 2, Nieto 0, Rodger 0.Phoenix 89 – Earlington 19, Ballungay 16, Mamuyac 11, Tuffin 10, Tio 10, Rivero 8, Cullar 6, Delos Santos 3, Perkins 3, Ando 3, Escandor 0, Santos 0.Quarters: 43-21, 78-43, 107-71, 137-89.