Without its top playmaker and veteran big man, NLEX essentially leaned on its shock troopers to carry out its mission of sealing the sixth seed in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Raul Soyud, Philip Paniamogan and Anthony Semerad teamed up with Calvin Oftana and Don Trollano to lead the Road Warriors to a clutch 109-95 drubbing of also-ran NorthPort yesterday in the elims windup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The five combined for 83 points to power the Yeng Guiao-coached squad to a 6-5 record at the end of the elims for No. 6, setting itself up for a best-of-three duel with the third-ranked squad in post-elims play.
“Itong game na ito, it will assure us of sixth place and it will keep us from seventh or eighth. Mahirap kasi pag seventh or eighth ka, kalaban mo No. 1 or 2 tapos may twice-to-beat disadvantage ka pa,” said Guiao.
“If we couldn’t get third, fourth or fifth, sa sixth okay na kami. Parehas din yan ng third kung incentives ang pag-uusapan pagdating sa quarterfinals,” he added.
The Road Warriors got the job done even as Kevin Alas and JR Quinahan rested to recuperate from their respective injuries and Kris Rosales missed out due to health protocols.
Later, streaking Magnolia unleashed a strong finishing kick to nip Blackwater, 75-66, and claim No. 3 spot with 8-3.
The Hotshots, who ended the elims with seven consecutive wins, will face No. 6 NLEX in a race-to-two series while sending the skidding Bossing (5-6) down to No. 8.
Blackwater is paired with top seed San Miguel Beer (9-2) with the Beermen enjoying a twice-to-beat edge. No. 2 TNT (8-3) holds a similar win-once bonus versus No. 7 Converge (5-6) while the other Last-8 matchup pits No. 4 Ginebra (8-3) with No. 5 Meralco (7-4) in a best-of-three.
