MANILA, Philippines — NLEX launched an all-out assault in the second half to hand Converge a 100-81 beating and grab one of four coveted twice-to-beat incentives for the playoffs in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Road Warriors turned a two-point halftime deficit into a ghastly rout after outgunning the FiberXers, 66-45 in the second half.
NLEX grabbed solo lead in the standings and improved to 9-2, half a game ahead of erstwhile leader Rain or Shine (8-2), which faces off with Barangay Ginebra (7-3) in a crucial game on Sunday.
Cady Lalanne led NLEX with 22 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, while Schonny Winston tormented his former team with 21.
Robert Bolick also finished with 21 points, three rebounds and five assists while Tony Semerad added 11 and seven.
Hastening Converge’s second half collapse was the ineffectiveness of import Donovan Smith, who finished the game with just six points and six rebounds before fouling out in the last period.
Smith, who had 32 points and 12 rebounds in Converge’s rout of Phoenix, shot just 3-of-13 in the game overall.
Justin Arana led Converge with 21 points and seven rebounds, with Archie Concepcion the only other player to score in twin digits with 10.
The loss ended the FiberXers’ two-game win streak, and virtually kissed their playoff hopes goodbye after dropping to 10th spot in the standings with their 4-7 record.
Terrafirma is at ninth spot at 4-6 after beating Macau earlier, 102-84.
