NLEX import Mike Watkins tries to score inside against Hong Kong Eastern in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–NLEX assured itself of at least a playoff for the No. 8 seed in the quarterfinals while eliminating San Miguel Beer from contention after defeating Hong Kong Eastern, 94-76, Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Mike Watkins powered his way to 41 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks while Robert Bolick added 21 as the Road Warriors won their third in a row to conclude the elimination phase with an even 6-6 record.
Article continues after this advertisement
The result sent the Beermen out of the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup, ending a streak of 22 straight conferences.
READ: PBA: Mike Watkins keeps NLEX’s fight going
San Miguel finished with a 5-7 record after a tumultuous conference that saw a coaching change from Jorge Gallent to Leo Austria plus a number of import changes.
NLEX can secure the quarters berth outright if Magnolia falls to Meralco in Friday’s match at Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The Hotshots have a 5-6 record.
Article continues after this advertisement
The Road Warriors can even sneak at No. 7 in the event the Hotshots win and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who carry a 6-5 record, lose on the same day to the TNT Tropang Giga.
Eastern fell for the second straight time and finished the elims at 7-5, meaning that it could possibly drop to seventh if Rain or Shine prevails due to a tiebreaker.
READ: PBA: Fatigue taking its toll on busy Hong Kong, says coach
Import Chris McLaughlin had 18 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Hong Kong side, which has been on a grueling stretch with the Hong Kong A1 Championship and East Asia Super League part of its schedule.
Things looked bleak for NLEX after dropping to 3-6 with a fifth consecutive defeat.
But the Road Warriors, behind Watkins and Bolick with help from Xyrus Torres, Javee Mocon, Kevin Alas and rookie Brandon Ramirez, posted victories over the Phoenix Fuel Masters and Elasto Painters, setting up their mastery of Eastern.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
