Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The NLEX Road Warriors squeezed past Barangay Ginebra in overtime, 114-112, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup on Friday (February 12) at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
NLEX import Al Thronton led his side with 50 points.
Forty eight minutes were not enough to separate the two teams, as fans were treated to the first overtime contest in this year’s Commissioner’s Cup.
With the scores tied up with 4:33 left in overtime, a Sean Anthony triple and a couple of free throws from Thornton in consecutive possessions finally gave NLEX some separation at 104-99.
Ginebra had no answer for Thornton, who took control with 10 markers in the overtime period alone.
Sol Mercado almost forced another dramatic ending after hitting back-to-back three pointers to reduce the deficit, 109-112, with 12 seconds left on the clock.
But in the end NLEX held their nerve to make clutch free throws to put the game beyond doubt.
Ginebra reinforcement Othyus Jeffers paced his side with 31 markers, while Joe Devance contributed with 18 points.
After the game, NLEX head coach Boyet Fernandez was all praises for Thornton.
“We won this game because of Al Thornton,” said Fernandez. “It was our defense that stepped up in the second half, credit to all my players who played in the second half, but again it was Al Thornton all the way.”
The Road Warriors will look to build on their opening win against the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Wednesday (February 17), while Ginebra will look to make up for their loss when they play the GlobalPort Batang Pier on Valentine’s Day.
