NLEX pulls off much-needed victory over Brgy. Ginebra

NLEX snapped out of a 5-game losing skid and at the same time stopped the 5-game winning streak of Brgy. Ginebra by pulling off a thrilling 120-117 overtime win Friday night in the elimination round of the PBA Season 47 Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Road Warriors improved to 4-7 and stayed in the hunt for a playoffs ticket while the Gin Kings fell down to 7-3 and would now need to hope for a loss by Magnolia in order to keep its chances for a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round alive.
Earl Clark paced the MVP-owned ballclub with 37 points including a clutch triple which gave his team a 3-point edge, 116-113 with 3 minutes left in the extension period. The 14th overall pick of the 2009 NBA draft also tallied 17 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and a block in 48 minutes of action.
“I think tonight was extra special for the players because they’re playing a big team and a very strong team like Ginebra,” said NLEX coach Frankie Lim during the post-game presser.
“The challenge is always there with Ginebra. Even if you’re up by seven or six (in the stretch), you’re not sure of a win if you’re playing against Ginebra. And I admire my guys, especially my assistant coaches, for pulling through,” he added.
Don Trollano added 26, all coming in the 2nd half, highlighted by 7-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc. Kevin Alas scored 18 while Matt Nieto and Justin Chua chipped in 10 and 9 markers, respectively.
Justin Brownlee paced the crowd darlings with 39 points on 12-of-28 shooting to go with 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in 50 minutes of play. Scottie Thomspon came through with a double-double of 17 points and 12 boards while Japeth Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo contributed with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Jeremiah Gray and Stanley Pringle scored 11 markers apiece.
The Gin Kings will try to return to the win column when they clash with the streaking NorthPort Batang Pier on Sunday, November 27, 6:45pm at the same venue.
The scores:
NLEX 120 – Clark 37, Trollano 26, Alas 18, Nieto 10, Chua 9, Rosales 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Varilla 1, Miranda 0.
Ginebra 117 – Brownlee 39, Thompson 17, J.Aguilar 13, Malonzo 12, Gray 11, Pringle 11, Standhardinger 9, Tenorio 5, Mariano 0.
Quarterscores: 25-22, 54-58, 90-83, 113-113, 120-117 (OT).