NLEX leaned on timely baskets from Cady Lalanne, Robert Bolick, and Schonny Winston to pull away late and defeat Macau, 106-97, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The Road Warriors extended their winning streak to three games and improved to 5-1 overall with the hard-earned victory.

The game turned in the final minutes when Lalanne and Bolick drilled crucial shots to stretch a slim 91-87 lead into a more comfortable 100-91 cushion. Macau responded with another push, trimming the deficit to just three points before Winston delivered a decisive four-point play with 35 seconds remaining to seal the outcome.

Head coach Jong Uichico described the contest as a grind, emphasizing how important it was for his team to learn how to close out games even when things are not going their way. He said the experience will be valuable moving forward, especially in tight situations where composure becomes the difference.

Late surge proves decisive for Road Warriors

NLEX regained control in the fourth quarter after a tightly contested first three periods. The Road Warriors opened the final canto with a 13-1 run that turned a narrow game into an eight-point advantage, giving them momentum heading into the closing stretch.

Lalanne led the charge with a dominant performance, finishing with 28 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocked shots. Winston added 24 points, while Bolick orchestrated the offense with 17 points and 11 assists despite not being at full strength.

JB Bahio also made a strong contribution, scoring 15 points and hitting his first seven attempts from the field. His early burst in the fourth quarter helped ignite the run that ultimately gave NLEX control of the game.

Macau shows resilience despite seventh loss

Macau proved to be a tough opponent despite remaining winless, overcoming two separate 14-point deficits and even taking a 48-41 lead in the second quarter. The Black Knights used a 20-4 run to swing momentum and keep the contest competitive deep into the second half.

Tony Mitchell led all scorers with 32 points and 11 rebounds, while Damien Chongqui added 19 points and seven assists. Ramon Cao chipped in 16 points and eight rebounds, and Jimmy Leung finished with 14 points despite a slow start after missing his first 11 shots.

Uichico noted that Macau has been improving in recent games and is beginning to adjust to the level of competition in the PBA. He added that the team is likely to become more dangerous as it gains more experience in the league.

Macau will look to regroup with a week-long break before facing Titan Ultra on April 21. NLEX, meanwhile, faces a quick turnaround with upcoming matchups against Meralco and San Miguel Beer.