Gonzales hits triple at the buzzer, NLEX nips Meralco

Sports

LJAY Jay Gonzales sank a triple just before the final buzzer sounded and the NLEX Road Warriors flattened the Meralco Bolts in overtime, 104-101, in the 50th PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday night, April 18, at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

Gonzales’ heroics completed NLEX’s comeback from double-digit deficits, pulling off the cardiac win that stretched its winning run to four to seize the solo second place in the team standings.

NLEX, which also bucked the ejection of head coach Jong Uichico, improved to 6-1 (win-loss), just slightly behind the league-leading Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who are 7-0.

Import Cady Lalanne put up big numbers in the win, collecting 34 points and 25 rebounds. Schonny Winston added 15 points while Gonzales had 15.

Robert Bolick scored just 11 points but was also responsible for the decisive play as it was his timely assist that led to Gonzales’ game-winning triple.

For failing to protect leads as big as 17 points, the Bolts fell to 5-2.

Marvin Jones paced the Bolts with 25 points and 13 rebounds while Chris Newsome chipped in 19 markers and six assists.

Jvee Mocon contributed 17 points, CJ Cansino had 14, and Jason Brickman tossed in 13, including a triple that tied the contest at 101-all before Gonzales delivered the dagger basket.

THE SCORES:

NLEX (104) – Lalanne 34, Winston 21, Gonzales 15, Bolick 11, Bahio 9, Rodger 7, Semerad 5, Alas 2, racal 0, Herndon 0, Fajardo 0.

MERALCO (101) – Jones 25, Newsome 19, Mocon 17, Cansino 14, Brickman 13, Quinto 7, Banchero 6, Hodge 0, Black 0, Almazan 0, Pascual 0, Rios 0.QUARTERSCORES: 14-19, 35-45, 64-76, 89-89, 104-101.(CCM)