Murrell's Heist-and-Slam Shocks NLEX in PBA Thriller

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David Murrell turned a routine tune-up game into a highlight reel Wednesday, picking Evan Nelle’s pocket and slamming home the go-ahead basket as Blackwater edged NLEX, 109-107, in the PBA On Tour at the San Jose Del Monte Sports Complex in Bulacan.

The forward’s steal-and-slam combo broke a deadlock with just 30 seconds left on the clock. Blackwater then survived two frantic possessions from the Road Warriors, who missed their chances to force overtime before the final horn sounded.

David Murrell emerged as a key figure in Blackwater's dramatic win over the NLEX Road Warriors. [PBA Images] — David Murrell emerged as a key figure in Blackwater’s dramatic win over the NLEX Road Warriors. [PBA Images]

Murrell’s Late Heist Seals Bossing Win

Murrell’s game-winning sequence unfolded in a flash. He read Nelle’s handle, jumped the passing lane and took off before finishing with a thunderous two-handed slam that put Blackwater ahead for good.

NLEX still had one final shot at forcing extra time. Nelle and Lorenz Capulong each got looks at potential game-tying baskets in the closing seconds, but neither shot found the mark, sealing the Bossing’s win.

The finish capped a wild back-and-forth battle. Blackwater stretched a slim 84-83 edge into a commanding 97-89 lead on the back of a 13-6 run through the fourth quarter.

NLEX refused to fold. The Road Warriors answered with an 18-10 blitz of their own to knot the score at 107-all, setting up the frantic finish that Murrell ultimately decided in Blackwater’s favor.

Import Situation Adds Wrinkle to PBA On Tour Clash

The game carried an unusual subplot before the opening tip. New NLEX import Deonte Burton arrived at the venue ready to suit up for what would have been his tune-up appearance ahead of the season-ending Governors’ Cup.

Burton, 32, is joining the Road Warriors as a replacement for the injured Dequan Jones. NLEX opted to hold him out, however, after learning Blackwater’s Kentrell Barkley was unavailable, choosing to level the playing field rather than exploit the mismatch.

The result did little to shake up the Governors’ Cup standings, since preseason results in the PBA On Tour carry no bearing on the official conference. NLEX stayed atop Group A at 7-2, while Blackwater held steady at 3-3 in Group B.

The tune-up slate continues over the weekend, with San Miguel facing Phoenix at 6 p.m. Saturday in Ilagan, Isabela, followed by a Meralco-Converge matchup Sunday in Santiago, Isabela.