PBA Game Breakdown: NLEX Survives Blackwater Thanks to Robert Bolick–Led Comeback

The NLEX Road Warriors got their PBA Commissioner’s Cup off to a winning start after beating the Blackwater Bossing, 84-81, on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

What Happened?

Blackwater scored the first four points of the game—a free throw by import Daniel Ochefu and a triple by David Murrell—and outscored NLEX, 25-15, in the opening frame. An 8-2 start in the second on two baskets each from Sedrick Barefield and Christian David then staked the Bossing to a 16-point lead. But the Road Warriors, led by import Cady Lalanne, Kevin Alas, and Robert Bolick, gradually came back and eventually pushed NLEX to within 41-34 heading into halftime.

The Road Warriors kept chipping away in the third canto, eventually ending it just one point behind, 61-60. Blackwater, though, kept NLEX at bay and was still up, 75-69, until Bolick led a 12-0 blast that finally put the Road Warriors ahead, 81-75. Blackwater threatened a final time at 81-79 before Bolick put the game away with a triple.

Who Stood Out?

After a slow start, Bolick ultimately found a rhythm to score 24 points, 13 of which came in the final frame. He also had 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals in a fine all-around effort. Importantly, he hit the crucial baskets for NLEX, including a four-pointer in that 12-0 run in the fourth and that dagger trey.

Blackwater, on the other hand, wasted a good game from Sedrick Barefield, who put up 18 points on top of 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

3 Keys to the Game

1. Turnovers. After giving up 25 points in the first canto, NLEX buckled down on defense to limit Blackwater to just 66 in the next three. The Road Warriors were particularly superb at forcing turnovers, recording 13 steals as they forced the Bossing into 20 turnovers that resulted in 24 points. In contrast, NLEX had only 12 errors.
2. Free throws. With their shooting off for most of the game, the Road Warriors attacked the paint and were rewarded with 28 free throws—eight more than Blackwater. NLEX made 21 compared with the Bossing’s 16 freebies.
3. Berto, the finisher. Like he usually does, Berto Bolick came up big in the clutch, firing 13 of his 24 in the fourth. His four-pointer at the halfway point of the fourth jump-started that huge 12-0 run, and his triple with 37 ticks left sealed the deal.

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