NLEX erased a 13-point deficit and pulled off a statement 118-113 victory over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, March 27,  at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Road Warriors relied on late-game execution and composure to survive a furious finish from the Gin Kings.

The win pushed NLEX to 3-1 after bouncing back from a previous loss to TNT Tropang 5G, while Ginebra absorbed its first defeat after opening the conference with a win. The game featured multiple swings before the Road Warriors closed it out in the final minute.

Robert Bolick led NLEX with 32 points, outdueling Justin Brownlee’s massive 46-point performance for Ginebra in a high-scoring duel. Cady Lalanne added 28 points and 14 rebounds while Schonny Winston chipped in 21 as NLEX leaned on balanced scoring.

LJay Gonzales contributed 14 points, giving NLEX four double-digit scorers in a game that demanded depth and composure. The collective effort kept the Road Warriors within reach before their late surge.

Bolick takes control in the clutch

Robert Bolick took over in the closing stretch, scoring crucial baskets that shifted momentum in NLEX’s favor. His key three-pointer and follow-up free throws helped the Road Warriors flip the game in the final minutes.

Bolick finished with seven assists and four rebounds while shooting efficiently from the field. His late-game poise proved decisive against Ginebra’s championship-tested lineup.

Ginebra falls short in final push

Barangay Ginebra stayed within striking distance behind Brownlee’s 46-point explosion, keeping pressure on NLEX until the final seconds. However, Scottie Thompson’s potential equalizer missed, ending the Gin Kings’ comeback hopes.

NLEX held firm defensively to secure the win and close out a hard-fought battle. The result marked a strong response from Jong Uichico’s squad after their earlier setback.