The NLEX Road Warriors secured a decisive victory against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, with Robert Bolick delivering an outstanding performance that earned him Player of the Game honors for the first time this season.
Bolick's Brilliant Performance Leads NLEX to Victory
In a commanding display at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Saturday, November 8, 2025, the NLEX Road Warriors dominated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters with a final score of 105-91. The game saw Robert Bolick emerge as the standout player, contributing 28 points and six rebounds to secure his team's victory and improve their record to 5-2 in the tournament.
Bolick's exceptional all-around game was complemented by strong performances from his teammates. JB Bahio delivered an impressive double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Xyrus Torres added 15 points to the scoreboard. Jonnel Policarpio and Dominic Fajardo each contributed 10 points, demonstrating the team's balanced offensive strength.
Game-Changing Third Quarter Run
The turning point came early in the third period when NLEX unleashed a devastating 10 unanswered points within the first four minutes. This explosive run allowed them to build a substantial 62-47 advantage that Rain or Shine struggled to overcome throughout the remainder of the game.
NLEX's shooting efficiency proved decisive, with the team converting 49.4 percent from the field compared to Rain or Shine's 38.6 percent. This significant difference in shooting accuracy highlighted NLEX's offensive dominance and strategic execution.
Following his exceptional performance, Bolick expressed his satisfaction with the team's victory. "I just did my best. I'm just thankful that we got the win," said Bolick, who acknowledged the significance of earning his first Player of the Game recognition this season. "It's been a while since I got Best Player so I'm happy."
Converge FiberXers Secure Nail-Biting Victory
In another exciting matchup, the Converge FiberXers edged out a hard-fought 99-94 victory against Blackwater in a game that went down to the wire. The win improved Converge's record to 4-2 in the Philippine Cup standings.
Alec Stockton emerged as the hero for Converge, matching Bolick's 28-point performance while making crucial plays in the game's final moments. The former Far Eastern University standout demonstrated remarkable composure by making four consecutive free throws in the dying seconds.
Stockton's defensive pressure forced Christian David into a critical turnover with only 5.3 seconds remaining, resulting in Converge taking a 98-94 lead that ultimately secured their victory. Kevin De Liano supported with 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while the duo of Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana combined for 22 points and 25 rebounds.
Despite the loss, Blackwater's Sedrick Barefield delivered an outstanding individual performance, leading all scorers with 33 points and five assists in a valiant effort.
The PBA schedule experienced disruptions due to external factors, with games scheduled for Sunday being postponed because of typhoon Uwan, highlighting the challenges faced by the league in maintaining its tournament schedule.
