Basketball
Team-first mindset drives NLEX to No. 1 seed
For only the second time in franchise history, NLEX has climbed to the summit of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations, finishing as the No. 1 seed in Season 50 and earning a crucial twice-to-beat edge heading into the quarterfinals.
But behind the milestone finish was not just a late surge or a fortunate run—it was the steady execution of a system built on continuity, trust, and an unwavering commitment to team-first basketball.
From the onset of the conference, NLEX carried a quiet conviction that its carefully assembled roster had the right balance to contend with the league’s elite. While several contenders leaned on imports with NBA pedigrees, the Road Warriors opted for a different route—prioritizing fit over flair in selecting a reinforcement for head coach Jong Uichico’s system.
That decision led them to Cady Lalanne.
(C) PBA Images
In a league where imports are often judged first by highlight reels and scoring bursts, Lalanne’s impact came in subtler but more sustainable ways—exactly the kind of profile NLEX was searching for.
“What we really liked about Cady was his attitude,” said Uichico. “He’s very coachable and gets along with his teammates. His demeanor on the court also does not change much. He handles himself in a very professional manner.”
Lalanne justified that trust with consistency across the eliminations, anchoring the paint with averages of 26.0 points, 15.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per outing while shooting 49.6% from the field.
NLEX began its campaign with a promising two-game start before absorbing its first loss against the Bol Bol-led TNT Tropang 5G. Rather than spiral, the Road Warriors quickly recalibrated, stringing together a four-game winning streak highlighted by L-Jay Gonzales’ buzzer-beating triple to topple Meralco in dramatic fashion.
A setback against San Miguel later in the conference could have derailed momentum, but instead, it served as fuel. NLEX responded with another four-game run, eventually sealing the top seed after an overtime victory over Titan Ultra that confirmed their twice-to-beat advantage.
The Road Warriors now shift their focus to a familiar but formidable foe in the quarterfinals—sister team TNT, which is reinforced by imposing import Bol Bol. Their playoff campaign begins Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
For team governor Ronald Dulatre, the breakthrough season has been rooted in a delicate balance of stability and timely adjustments.
(C) PBA Images
“We’re a big believer in keeping our core intact,” said Dulatre. “But when we had the opportunity to trade for Schonny Winston, we pulled the trigger because we knew he could have a big role for the team. The additions we’ve made have strengthened the team.
“More than talent, it’s how we’ve come together as one unit that makes the difference.”
Winston’s arrival proved pivotal, immediately slotting into the rotation and starting all 12 elimination games while finishing as the team’s second-leading local scorer at 16.7 points per outing.
Still, the heartbeat of NLEX’s campaign has been Robert Bolick, who continues to elevate his status as one of the league’s premier guards and a strong Best Player of the Conference contender.
Bolick posted all-around numbers of 20.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, while shooting 39% from deep and 59% from two-point range. More than the stat sheet, however, it has been his command in clutch situations that has defined NLEX’s rise.
Time and again, Bolick has delivered in the biggest moments—either by taking over possessions himself or orchestrating game-winning sequences that have benefited teammates like Gonzales, who buried the dagger against Meralco, and JB Bahio, who finished a crucial win over Rain or Shine.
With the eliminations now in the books, NLEX briefly stepped away from the hardwood, heading to Batangas for a short team-building trip designed to strengthen chemistry ahead of the postseason grind.
“We’re happy to finish at number one, but we’re not done yet,” said Uichico.
“We need to put in more work to get to where we want to be.”
Backing the team’s steady rise is the continued support of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, which has remained firmly behind the franchise throughout the conference.
“We’re always thankful to the management because they continue to support us in everything we do,” said Dulatre.
“We want to make our company, our employees, and everyone who supports this team proud as we continue our playoff run.”
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NLEX took the solo lead in Group A following a convincing 110-96 victory over the erstwhile perfect San Miguel to extend its unbeaten run to four in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
In a game where they showed a bit of everything, the Road Warriors went on a tear in the second chapter, inflated the lead to its biggest at 25 in the third, and then displayed solid poise in the defining chapter to put the Beermen away.
Robert Bolick connected on a four, then came Robbie Herndon with a triple not long after as that 7-0 spurt pushed their lead back to 99-84 with 6:23 to go, and that proved to be enough to restore order after their foes cut the gap to eight.
DeQuan Jones took over afterward to lead the strong closeout as they went on to become the lone team without a loss thus far as the Beermen fell to 3-1.
In what’s becoming a trend since Coach Jimmy Alapag arrived, NLEX leaned on another balanced attack that saw a five finish in double figures
Jones himself led the way with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Deschon Winston finished with 24 points, four rebounds, and four assists as he triggered the 14-0 run in the second chapter for a 44-27 lead that set the tone for the rout.
Tony Semerad had 15 points as his long bombs helped put together the solid finish. Bolick came just short of a triple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists while Herndon added 13 markers to lead the bench mob.
The post NLEX hands San Miguel first loss, claims solo PBA Group A lead appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
Joseph Yeo and Chris Tiu rekindled their legendary partnership as Xavier School edged the James Yap-led Hua Siong College-Iloilo, 75-72, in Game 1 of the 40 Years Division finals of the Fil-Chinese Athletic Association Inc. on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Though no longer as quick or explosive as they were in their prime, the Powersox-AcroCity-backed Xavier stars remained deadly from beyond the arc, delivering clutch baskets down the stretch to topple the defending champions in the opener of their best-of-three title series before a sizable crowd.
The Golden Stallions now stand one win away from the championship and a measure of revenge after falling to Hua Siong in last year’s finals. They can seal the title with another victory on Monday.
Yeo turned back the clock with a game-high 30 points, highlighted by four three-pointers, to outduel fellow PBA great James Yap. He scored Xavier’s final seven points, including a crucial triple that stretched the lead to 71-66 late in the contest.
Yap answered with 18 points, knocking down two booming three-pointers, but his efforts were not enough as the Lamtex Pipes-backed Hua Siong absorbed its first loss after sweeping all eight elimination-round games. Hua Siong had also cruised past GT Radial-Grace Christian College, 108-74, in the semifinals.
Tiu also played a key role in the victory, finishing with 17 points while sinking two of Xavier’s 13 three-pointers. Hua Siong, meanwhile, connected on nine triples.
In the battle for third place, Grace Christian College rolled past SCAG-St. Stephen’s, 60-40, behind Allan Anson Tan’s 20-point performance to finish third in the nine-team tournament.
With Yap struggling to find his rhythm late, Ken Bono tried to keep Hua Siong within striking distance, but Xavier would not be denied.
The league is backed by Smart Sports, Tanduay Athletics, Genius Hardware, Ultraforce Tires, Cellboy, PGFlex Linoleum, Boysen, Lamtex Pipes, Jiang Nan, Hangry Pares, Powerhouse Tools, L.F. Fireworks, BYD Valenzuela, BAIC, Jetour, Yong Kee Roasting House, 1118 Autospa, and TCL.
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Ramon Cao asserted himself in the endgame to help Macau complete a 132-126 comeback win over Titan Ultra to break through in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The reliable big man finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds as he basically took it upon himself to bring the Giant Risers home after seeing themselves staring at a 120-119 deficit with 1:52 remaining.
He scored seven straight to give themselves the 126-120 lead with 31.1 seconds left, which were enough to put them ahead permanently while the opposition could only try to answer back but to no avail
De’Vondre Perry helped him out to keep their foes at bay before Cao applied the final blow with a cleanup from point-blank as the former Bay Area Dragons forward produced 11 of Macau’s last 13 points of the bout.
With this, the guest team improved to 1-4 while sending Titan crashing back to earth after beating TNT previously.
The post PBA: Ramon Cao powers Macau’s stunning comeback to first win at Titan’s expense appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
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