MANILA, Philippines – By defeating the Blackwater Bossing 101-84, the NLEX Road Warriors established their dominance on the floor and won the 40th Kadayawan Invitational. The Road Warriors’ triumph not only earned them the much-needed preseason title, but it also made up for their elimination-round loss to Blackwater. In addition to being a game, what transpired on the court was a demonstration of depth, tenacity, and championship poise.

The Bossing confidently dominated the preliminary round and went into the finals as the tournament’s undefeated team. They had really defeated NLEX in their first meeting, putting up a strong comeback that had momentarily established the tone for their campaign. However, the finals told a very different tale. What was anticipated to be a closely contested match was transformed into a display of firepower and defensive execution as NLEX entered with a sharpened attitude and a renewed sense of urgency.

NLEX set the pace right away with unrelenting vigor on both ends. They were instantly distinguished by their outside shooting. The long-range attack was started by Xyrus Torres and Alex Semerad, who each made four triples for a total of 35 points. NLEX’s forwards and big guys were able to attack since Blackwater had to scramble defensively due to their accuracy from beyond the arc. The Bossing found it difficult to keep up with the Road Warriors’ evenly distributed scoring, and each timely three-pointer appeared to sap their momentum.

Anthony Semerad, whose all-around skill defined the championship game, was named the Finals MVP. He scored 15 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and constantly used hustle and defense to influence the game. His presence on the court helped NLEX maintain control, especially during pivotal moments when Blackwater tried to come back. He was joined by JB Bahio, who scored 12 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, and Dominick Fajardo, who scored 10 points, demonstrating that NLEX’s strength extended beyond its starting lineup.

Blackwater’s offensive engine was blunted by the Road Warriors, who tightened their defensive screws. One of the Bossing’s most prolific scorers during the competition, guard Sedrick Barefield, was restricted to just 15 points. Another important contributor, RK Ilagan, was only allowed to contribute ten. Blackwater’s failure to find a rhythm against NLEX’s defensive strategies demonstrated how much the Road Warriors had grown from their previous loss.

The last period was the pivotal moment. NLEX had momentum going into the fourth quarter after fighting through the first three. In the last period, they outscored Blackwater 27–19, converting a close game into a landslide victory. Any thoughts of a Bossing comeback were dashed by their composure in half-court sets and their discipline on defense. NLEX had established a lead that was too great to contest by the final bell, ensuring their victory.

Beyond the numbers, the victory demonstrated NLEX’s tenacity. Their campaign could have been ruined by the hurt of losing to Blackwater in the opening game, but instead it served as motivation for growth. Their gradual return to contention and eventual dominance in the championship game demonstrated a team that was becoming more cohesive and self-assured. Both the coach and the players demonstrated flexibility, demonstrating their ability to overcome obstacles in addition to their expertise.

The defeat served as a harsh reminder to Blackwater of how swiftly things can go wrong in basketball. Their nearly flawless prelim run demonstrated their promise, but they were unable to maintain that level of performance when pressured to win a championship. Even while Barefield and Ilagan showed moments of genius, they lacked the consistency and assistance they had in previous games when they were most required. Although the loss will be painful, they can learn important things from it as they get ready for the regular season.

In the meantime, NLEX left with more than just the title; they also gained momentum that could help them in their future campaign. Their depth, domination on rebounds, and three-point shooting showed a formula that can be applied to more difficult games in the future. The Road Warriors seem more balanced than ever, thanks to the efforts of several contributors, which is good news for their fans.

As a result, the 40th Kadayawan Invitational ended with a suitable demonstration of basketball brilliance.