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NLEX closed its campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup bubble with a great victory over Terrafirma, 127-101, on Wednesday at the Cultural Center and Sports Stadium of the University Foundation of Angeles.
The Road Warriors ended the bubble campaign with a 5-6 win-loss record, but their quarter-final bid fell short as they entered the match already eliminated following Rain or Shine’s win over TNT on Tuesday.
However, the Road Warriors finished the conference strong, winning four of the last five games inside the Smart Clark Giga City bubble.
NLEX stretched its lead in the second period before outscoring Terrafirma, 42-27, in a shootout in the third quarter.
Kiefer Ravena had his usual numbers, with NLEX coach Yeng Guiao giving opportunities to his other players, including Asi Taulava, who played extended minutes in what could be his last PBA career game.
The loss capped off a disappointing campaign for Dyip, which ended their season with a 1-10 win-loss record and a three-game losing streak.
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Ravena finished with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists, while hitting 5 of 8 from triples, three of which came from that third quarter.
Taulava had 11 points, four rebounds and three blocks in 14 minutes of play in his possible final game in the PBA after 21 years in the league.
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NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said it was a shame the Road Warriors got off to a slow start at this conference.
“The first half of our elimination round was disappointing. We did well in the second half, that’s when we started to win. I felt that if we started maybe two weeks early, maybe this would be the right time when we would have been playing with some remaining matches. Parang nabitin lang, ”Guiao said.
Raúl Soyud had 16 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Jericho Cruz added 12 points and six assists for NLEX, who laid off Kevin Alas in his last game of the conference.
Perez contributed 27 points and 10 rebounds in his last game of the season for the Terrafirma team that once again missed Roosevelt Adams and Rashawn McCarthy through injuries.
Scores:
NLEX 127 – Ravena 23, Soyud 16, Cruz 12, Semerad 11, Taulava 11, Paniamogan 9, Ayonayon 9, McAloney 9, Miranda 8, Ighalo 7, Galanza 7, Quinahan 5, Varilla 0.
Terrafirma 101 – Pérez 27, Khobuntin 18, Ramos 15, Camson 10, Cahilig 8, Cell 7, Tiongson 6, Batiller 4, Faundo 3, Balagasay 2, Gabayni 1, Agovida 0.
Quarters: 23-26; 55-44; 97-71; 127-101.___
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