The NLEX Road Warriors continued their winning ways on Tuesday, dealing the Macau Black Knights another loss with a 106-97 trouncing at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. With the win, NLEX joined the Meralco Bolts in joint second place in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup standings at 5-1. The loss dropped the Black Knights to 0-7.
What Happened?
NLEX waxed hot from the get-go, building a quick 13-2 advantage en route to winning the opening frame, 28-21, behind a combined 16 points from Schonny Winston and Cady Lalanne. But the Black Knights tied the game after 24 minutes of play as Damian Chong Qui and Tony Mitchell went off for 19 combined in the second canto.
Macau continued its strong play in the third, with Tony Mitchell firing 11 more points to power the Black Knights to a 26-22 third quarter and a 78-74 lead heading into the final frame. NLEX, though, wiped out the deficit in the first three minutes of the fourth with a 9-0 start highlighted by 7 points from hardworking forward JB Bahio. The Road Warriors extended their lead to 90-81 at the 7:22 mark, and it proved to be enough to usher NLEX to its fifth win in the conference.
Who Stood Out?
While Robert Bolick was solid, it was the trio of Cady Lalanne, Schonny Winston, and JB Bahio that did the most damage. Lalanne had a workmanlike 28 points and 18 rebounds, while Bahio added 15 points and 7 boards. Winston, meanwhile, finished with 24 markers and again started off blazing hot for NLEX.
Macau, meanwhile, drew Tony Mitchell’s best game of the conference so far. The veteran reinforcement put up 32 points and 11 rebounds and was instrumental in staking the Black Knights to the lead after three.
3 Keys to the Game
- Shooting. Once again, the Road Warriors shot lights out, making more than half of their total field goal attempts for a 51.3% clip from the field. Macau, in contrast, shot only 41.8% and was just 6-for-25 from downtown.
- Paint play. Part of the reason the Road Warriors shot so well is that they got to the paint, with Lalanne and Bahio, in particular, challenging Macau’s interior defense. Mitchell tried to do the same for Macau, but his efforts could not prevent NLEX from outscoring the Black Knights 60-48 in the paint.
- Strong finish. Again, it looked like Macau was poised for a breakthrough win after carrying a 78-74 lead into the fourth quarter. But NLEX just proved too good in the end, with that 9-0 start in the final frame setting up a stellar finish.
Next Up for the PBA
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Ynares Center – Antipolo
Converge FiberXers vs. Titan Ultra Giant Risers (5:15 p.m.)
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. Terrafirma Dyip (7:30 p.m.)
