MANILA, Philippines – At the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, the NLEX Road Warriors defeated the struggling Terrafirma Dyip 117-87 to extend their stellar run in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup. In addition to giving Terrafirma their sixth straight tournament defeat, the victory was NLEX’s fifth consecutive victory, solidifying their dominant position in the standings.

The game was swiftly put in motion by the Road Warriors, who startled the Dyip early on with a commanding 22-5 scoring run. This quick start turned out to be crucial, as NLEX kept control of the game and eventually won with a strong fourth-quarter showing.

JB Bahio and Brandon Ramirez led the attack for NLEX, both of whom recorded career-high scores. Bahio put up a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Ramirez scored 21 points, displaying his offensive effectiveness and aggression. Their work was crucial in giving NLEX the early advantage and maintaining it throughout the rest of the match.

Additionally, the whole extent of NLEX’s rotation was visible. Head coach Jong Uichico’s 13 players all added to the score, showcasing the team’s cohesiveness and well-balanced offense. Javee Mocon contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds in yet another effective all-around performance, and Robbie Herndon added 15 points, supplying consistent output on the perimeter.

Star guard Robert Bolick had a bad shooting night, making just one of his eight field goal tries, but he still managed to finish with 10 assists, demonstrating his ability to create plays. Even during periods when NLEX’s pace slowed a little, his floor leadership made sure the offense was moving smoothly.

Halfway through the battle, Terrafirma launched a minor rally, causing some momentary turbulence for the Road Warriors. The Dyip was able to cut the lead to 63-74 in the third quarter after falling behind 22 points in the second. The comeback attempt didn’t last long, though. Terrafirma’s push was essentially ended when Mocon answered with two timely three-pointers during a 13-7 NLEX run that increased the margin to 87-70 going into the fourth quarter.

Late in the game, Enoch Valdez put the finishing touches on the contest by scoring all nine of his points in the last three minutes. The blowout was completed with a 13-0 closing run that included his scoring burst, bringing the final margin to 30 points.

After a victory on the first day, Terrafirma’s loss was yet another setback in what has turned into a downhill spiral. The squad is on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention after losing six straight games. Kevin Ferrer, who has been scoring consistently, led the Dyip with 23 points. With 15 points and 11 rebounds, Louie Sangalang also earned a double-double, demonstrating increased aggression in the second half.

With final scores of 11 and 10, respectively, Mark Nonoy and Brent Paraiso were the only other Dyip players to score in double figures. The squad had trouble finding offensive rhythm, especially in the first half when they went down by 22 points and were never able to catch up.

Although Terrafirma had some tenacity, particularly during the resurgence in the third quarter, their defensive shortcomings and incapacity to stop NLEX’s offensive assault ultimately sealed their doom. With the defeat, the Dyip might become the first side to drop out of the running for a quarterfinal berth and a top-eight finish.

However, under Coach Uichico’s guidance, NLEX’s victory highlights their developing confidence and team camaraderie while also strengthening their playoff bid. The Road Warriors are becoming one of the most fearsome teams in the ongoing Philippine Cup after five victories and just one loss. As they continue their campaign in hopes of making a deep postseason run, their ability to combine offensive potency with defensive intensity will be crucial.

Scores at the end of the match

NLEX with 117 points for the win
Individual scores: Ramirez 21, Bahio 17, Herndon 15, Mocon 13, Alas 9, Valdez 9, Amer 7, Miranda 6, Semerad 6, Torres 6, Nieto 3, Bolick 3, Fajardo 2.

TERRAFIRMA with 87 points
Individual scores: Ferrer 23, Sangalang 15, Nonoy 11, Paraiso 10, Zaldivar 8, Pringle 7, Melecio 5, Catapusan 4, Ramos 4, Hernandez 0, Hanapi 0, Olivario 0.

Scores per quarter
33-16, 63-44, 87-70, 117-87