Easter Blaze: NLEX surges

The Road Warriors jumped the gun on the Fuel Masters behind a Schonny Winston-led 13-0 blast then banked on Kevin Alas’ late long bombs for the KO punch to a 120-102 romp at the resumption of action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Knocking down 15 triples and a pair of booming four-balls while clamping down on Phoenix import James Dickey III, the Road Warriors roared to back-to-back victories for 4-1 overall, half a game behind unbeaten leader Rain or Shine (4-0).

Winston, who had 11 in the opening barrage, finished with 16 as Alas, whose clutch trey and five-point play helped restore a 96-79 tear against the rallying Fuel Masters, poured 16 of his 18 in the fourth in this concerted effort from NLEX.

Import Cady Lalanne posted 29-10 with two blocks while limiting Dickey to 13 and 14. Top gunner Robert Bolick fired 22 and issued 14 assists in a stellar game even as Tony Semarad shot 15, all from three-point arc, to join the fray.

”We have five players (scoring) in double figures. If that happens in a game, then you’ve got a great chance of winning. Importante ‘yung ganung distribution ng scoring sa amin,” said NLEX coach Jong Uichico.

“Ang ganda namin panoorin sa loob, maganda ang chemistry, maganda ang ikutan ng bola. Every quarter, meron mainit sa amin. ‘Yun tinatawag ni coach na team effort. Maganda pasahan, mas mahirap kami depensahan ‘pag ganon. May import pa kami na parang Kawhi (Leonard) tahimik lang, ganda ng depensa niya kay Dickey,” said Bolick.

The Fuel Masters fell to 3-2.

Later, CJ Perez ignited a strong finishing kick as San Miguel Beer rallied from 15 down to edge Ginebra, 85-82, and improve to 3-2. The Gin Kings slipped to 2-2.

Perez rifled in 15 of his 20 in the fourth and assisted Don Trollano’s go-ahead three-pointer as the Beermen stole the W with a 27-16 closing barrage.

Justin Brownlee had 31 for Ginebra but missed a potential equalizer from deep in the dying seconds.

— Olmin Leyba