Oftana, Quinahan clutch as NLEX edges Phoenix in OT; Blackwater on a roll

CARLO ANOLIN

NLEX showed poised down the stretch and eked out a 114-108 victory against Phoenix in overtime in the PBA Philippine Cup Thursday, June 30 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Calvin Oftana, who hit a game-tying three that sent the game to overtime, led the Road Warriors with near a triple-double performance of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists while JR Quinahan posted 21 points and four assists as NLEX improved to a 4-2 record.

Three other NLEX players scored double digits with Kevin Alas, Don Trollano, and Justin Chua adding 18, 17, and 12 points, respectively.

After squandering an early 23-7 lead in the first quarter, Phoenix fought back and engaged NLEX into a nip-and-tuck affair down to last three minutes as Larry Muyang sank a pair of free throws en route to a 105-deadlock.

Don Trollano and Quinahan connived for four straight points for a 109-105 lead before RJ Jazul pumped life for Phoenix with a crucial three-pointer with 43 seconds left.

Quinahan, who shot 8-of-13 from the field including three triples, hit a dagger three with 27 ticks to go that eased the pressure a bit for the Road Warriors.

In the ensuing play, Oftana provided a key defensive stop which led to a Javee Mocon turnover and Trollano iced the game with a pair of free throws.

Phoenix, for its part, fell to a 2-5 slate.

Earlier, Baser Amit hit a game-winning jumper with 1.7 seconds left to lift Blackwater past Meralco, 90-89.

Amer made up for his dismal 3-of-11 shooting clip and capped his six-point performance with a crucial jumper off the glass to give the Bossing their fourth win in five games and his former team its third loss.

It was rookie Renato Ular though who led Blackwater with a career-high 19 points and 15 rebounds while veteran Jvee Casio, who also fired a clutch three-pointer down the stretch, had 19 points built on five triples on top of six assists.