NLEX tries to stretch its winning streak to five and enhance its twice-to-beat bid when it battles San Miguel Beer, where Bennie Boatwright marks his comeback on Sunday in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Road Warriors are fresh off a 104-101 overtime win against the Meralco Bolts last Friday behind rookie LJay Gonzales’ buzzer-beating triple.
NLEX has been getting consistent numbers from import Cady Lalanne, do-it-all guard Robert Bolick, JB Bahio and trade pick up Schonny Winston, who is averaging 17.2 points and shooting 37.2 percent from downtown.
The charges of coach Jong Uichico’s biggest test yet are the Beermen, who enter the game tied from seventh to ninth spots with Magnolia and Terrafirma in the standings with their 3-4 record.
SMB has lost its last two games, bowing to Rain or Shine, 116-112, before playing without import Justin Patton in the team’s 101-120 beating at the hands of Magnolia.
Patton as of posting time, has yet to communicate with the SMB management, since going AWOL (absence without leave).
But the Beermen’s confidence are high since the 29-year-old Boatwright arrived several days ago.
The 6-foot-10 Boatwright, a Gilas naturalized candidate, is coming off a recent stint with the Daegu Kogas Pegasus in the Korean Basketball League where he averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
His familiarity with the system of coach Leo Austria is a huge plus, having led the Beermen to the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup crown.
In the 5:15 p.m. game, Magnolia battles Converge (2-5).
Both teams are looking to pile up the wins in their remaining games in the elimination round as they chase for a spot in the top 8.
