NLEX rookie LJay Gonzales helped tow the Road Warriors to a 2-0 mark in the PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup, frustrating the Mangolia Hotshots.
It was LJay Gonzales' turn to shine on Sunday, March 15.
The NLEX rookie had a breakout performance in the Road Warriors’ 112-105 win over Magnolia in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
Gonzales turned in 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals as the Road Warriors gained a share of the early lead in the mid-season tournament with a 2-0 mark.
“Di ko rin ‘to in-expect. Binigay ko lang 100 percent ko. Lagi kong nire-ready sarili ko para sa season namin,” Gonzales said after the match.
Gonzales made his lone field goal in the fourth period in the 3:47 mark, hitting a long two which helped keep the Hotshots at arm’s length.
Half a minute later, the former FEU standout stripped the ball from Rome dela Rosa in a 3-on-1 break, which led to a Cady Lalanne breakaway flush for a 108-100 buffer for NLEX.
LJay’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed
“Swerte lang kami na maganda nilaro ni LJay. Breakout game niya ngayon. He gives us a different dimension sa laro,” said NLEX coach Jong Uichico.
NLEX was also fueled by Lalanne, who wound up with 24 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and one blocl despite being saddled by foul trouble.
Schonny Winston, Robert Bolick, and JB Bahio chipped in 14 points apiece for the Road Warriors, who stormed back from 13 points down after closing the second period with a 12-2 rally.
Meanwhile, Nuni Omot turned it up only in the second half and wound up with 32 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for Magnolia.
Jerom Lastimosa fired 23 points, but went gun-shy in the fourth period when it mattered most for the Hotshots. He also had two rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Rome dela Rosa scored 17 points, while Zavier Lucero doled out 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Hotshots, who fell to a 0-2 mark.
NLEX vs Magnolia Scores:
NLEX 112 – Lalanne 24, Bahio 14, Winston 14, Bolick 14, Alas 13, Gonzales 13, Semerad 11, Torres 3, Fajardo 3, Racal 3, Herndon 0
MAGNOLIA 105 – Omot 32, Lastimosa 23, Dela Rosa 17, Lucero 16, Laput 6, Lee 4, Barroca 3, Andrada 2, Alfaro 2, Gomez de Liano 0, Koon 0, Sangalang 0, Escoto 0
Quarterscores: 27-26, 57-59, 82-80, 112-105
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.