Still no victory for expansion team Blackwater

ELITE, 0-8

Game today:
Cagayan de Oro
5 p.m. – Alaska vs GlobalPort

Mac Cardona of NLEX looks for a teammate as he is defended by two Blackwater cagers. (PBA IMAGES)

The NLEX Road Warriors arrested their three-game slump as they kept the Blackwater Elite winless with a 104-84 victory over the expansion squad in the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Drawing yet another throwback performance from the ageless Asi Taulava, who had 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists—all while wearing Chuck Taylor sneakers, the Road Warriors improved their win-loss record to 3-4 while sending the Elite to their eighth straight loss.

The revitalized Fil-Tongan got plenty of support as Mac Cardona pitched in 21 markers, seven rebounds and five assists while guard Jonas Villanueva had 17 points.

Cebuano forward Aldrech Ramos pitched in 16 markers while going a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond rainbow country.

NLEX was ahead by a scant six points, 26-20, after the first but turned the tide near the end of the second, which it ended with a 21-8 blast for a 58-41 halftime lead.

It was all Road Warriors from that point onwards as the Elite could get no closer than 15 points in the second half.

BOX SCORES:
NLEX 104 – Taulava 24, Cardona 21, Villanueva 17, Ramos 16, Borboran 10, R Villanueva 8, Canaleta 3, Hermida 2, Apinan 1, Camson 0, W. Arboleda 0, Baloria 0.
Blackwater 84 – Menor 15, Celiz 11, Gamalinda 10, Faundo 9, Artadi 8, Heruela 6, Salvacion 6, Tiongson 4, Erram 4, Laure 4, Rodriguez 3, Timberlake 2, Nuyles 2.