NINO Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos torched their former team as Mahindra stunned the NLEX Road Warriors, 103-93, for its first-ever win in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena last night.
Canaleta and Ramos, who were both traded by NLEX in the off-season to Mahindra, combined for 28 points, scoring 14 apiece to lead Mahindra to its first win after three losses.
The Road Warriors dropped two in a row after a 2-0 start for a 2-2 card.
“It feels so good that we finally got our first win here in the tournament. It’s kind of incidental pa that their (NLEX) former players are the ones pa that led us in this game,’’ said Mahindra deputy coach Chito Victolero. “We hope that we can carry this win and this momentum in our next games. This is very positive for us.’’
Kyle Pascual, LA Revilla and Mark Yee provided the needed support for Mahindra as they all scored in twin-digits as well. Pascual also had 14 markers off the bench while Revilla had 13 and Yee 11, also as a reserve.
Playing with a sense of urgency, Mahindra came out of the gates firing as it worked its way towards a sizeable double-digit lead at away at the end of the first period, 26-16.
The Enforcers extended their lead to 17 points twice in the middle of the second before the Road Warriors ended the first half with a 15-6 blitz to inch within just eight, 51-43, at halftime.
But the more determined Mahindra just won’t allow NLEX to completely impose a threat as it restored a double-digit lead by the end of the third, 74-60.
In the final frame, it was all about sealing the victory for the Enforcers as they blew the game wide open behind a 17-10 run en route to their largest lead of the game at 91-70 with just 5:45 left after a three-point play from rookie Bradwyn Guinto.
Mahindra overcame a sensational performance from NLEX’s ageless wonder Asi Taulava, who exploded with a game-high 31 points and nine rebounds.
As of this writing, two hot teams are figuring in a heated tiff as league-leading Rain or Shine is doing its best to keep its solo lead up top against streaking GlobalPort.
The Painters (3-0) will remain unscathed if they win and will keep the top spot for themselves alone but if the Batang Pier (2-1) wins and pulls off the upset, Rain or Shine, San Miguel, Alaska and GlobalPort will figure in a four-way tie for first place.
Meanwhile, a heavyweight clash between Talk ‘N Text (2-1) and Star (2-2) takes place in Lucena City at 5 p.m. as the PBA goes back on the road for this out of town presentation.
A win for the Tropang Texters, winners of two straight, here will also allow them to gain a tie either for first or second place depending on the result of the ongoing Rain or Shine-GlobalPort battle.
Game Today (Lucena City)
5 p.m. • Talk ‘N Text vs. Star