Blackwater trounces NLEX to keep flickering playoff hopes alive

Photo: NLEX Road Warriors/Facebook.com

MANILA – Blackwater began its late push for a playoff spot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on a high note, defeating NLEX, 104-98, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday night.

The Elite led from wire to wire but still had to hold off a late Road Warriors run to notch only their second win in the mid-season conference with three games left in their schedule.

Leading by as much as 18 points, Blackwater saw its advantage cut down to as low as four, 102-98, with 1:26 remaining.

However, it turned out to be NLEX’s last gasp as the team failed to score from hereon.

Greg Smith and KG Canaleta each chipped in 24 points, while Mike DiGregorio added 22 for the Elite.

Kevin Alas came off the bench to lead the Road Warriors with 18 markers in a game where Wayne Chism was limited to only nine points on 4-of-20 shooting.