NLEX beats Converge in crucial win for playoffs bid
NLEX rookie Enoch Valdez leads Road Warriors to crucial win. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
NLEX got big contributions from rookies Enoch Valdez and Richie Rodger to overcome Converge, 107-103, and forge a tie with TNT for the last quarterfinals berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Valdez hit a pair of three-point shots in the fourth while Rodger hit the decisive basket in the dying moments as the Road Warriors stayed alive in the playoff race by equaling the idle Tropang Giga’s record at 4-6 going into the final game of the eliminations.
NLEX faces a daunting task, however, against Barangay Ginebra on Saturday in Legazpi City.
Both teams will meet in a playoff for No. 8 if they end up with the same record after the elimination round. TNT plays Phoenix on Sunday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
New import DeAndre Williams-Baldwin had 22 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in his debut after NLEX management decided to replace Stokley Chaffee.
Valdez scored 10 of his 19 points in perhaps his best performance since joining the Road Warriors following his NCAA stint with Lyceum.
Converge dropped to 1-9 despite a 50-point performance from import Jamil Wilson.
Wilson kept the FiberXers within three at 105-102, but Rodger converted a medium-range attempt, 39 seconds left, for a five-point spread.
The scores:
NLEX 107—Williams-Baldwin 22, Valdez 19, Bolick 15, Anthony 14, Rodger 14, Nermal 12, Miranda 6, Herndon 5, Salado 0, Fajardo 0, Semerad 0.
CONVERGE 103—Wilson 50, Arana 19, Fornilos 8, Melecio 5, Nieto 5, Stockton 4, Fleming 4, Wong 4, Winston 2, Maagdenberg 2, Ambohot 0, Delos Santos 0, Santos 0.
Quarters: 25-22, 51-43, 80-81, 107-103.
