The Ynares Center in Montalban bore witness to a high-octane encounter that redefined the term “down but not out.” In a game characterized by massive swings and high-stakes drama, the NLEX Road Warriors pulled off a stunning 104-101 victory over the Meralco Bolts on Friday night. The win was a testament to the team’s composure, particularly that of rookie guard Ljay Gonzales, who knocked down a buzzer-beating triple in the extension period to seal a remarkable 17-point comeback.
The victory further solidified NLEX’s standing in the PBA News cycle, pushing them to solo second place in the standings with a 6-1 record, trailing only the unbeaten Rain or Shine. For Meralco, the heartbreaking loss snapped a three-game winning streak and dropped them to a still-respectable 5-2 slate.
The Rookie’s Defining Moment
As the overtime clock ticked down, the game seemed destined for a second extra period after Meralco’s Jason Brickman buried a clutch triple to tie the score at 101-all with just 12.3 seconds remaining. NLEX went to their main orchestrator, Robert Bolick, for the final play. Drawing the defense toward him, Bolick spotted an open Ljay Gonzales near the top of the key. Without hesitation, the former FEU standout released a shot that found nothing but the bottom of the net as the buzzer sounded, igniting a wild celebration on the NLEX bench.
According to NLEX assistant coach Borgie Hermida, the final play was a calculated risk. The coaching staff decided to deviate from their usual set plays to keep the Meralco defense off balance. Hermida noted that while they had run similar sets for the previous five minutes, the “disguise” play eventually opened a window for Gonzales to take the shot that defined the night for Basketball 2026 fans.
Overcoming Adversity and a Slow Start
The road to victory was far from smooth for the Road Warriors. The team faced a major setback early in the second quarter when head coach Jong Uichico was ejected at the 2:12 mark after making contact with an official. The leadership mantle fell upon Hermida and the rest of the coaching staff, who had to navigate a double-digit deficit for much of the second half.
Meralco dominated the middle quarters, leading by as many as 17 points. By the 6:09 mark of the third period, the Bolts held a comfortable 63-46 lead. Even as the fourth quarter began, NLEX trailed 81-68. However, a spirited 21-8 run sparked by import Cady Lalanne and local star Schonny Winston brought the Road Warriors back into contention. The rally culminated in a step-back triple by Robert Bolick that tied the game at 89-all with 27.8 seconds left in regulation, forcing the overtime period.
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Statistical Leaders and Standouts
Cady Lalanne was a force of nature for NLEX, putting up monster numbers of 34 points and 25 rebounds. Despite battling foul trouble and playing with five fouls for a significant portion of the endgame, the 6-foot-10 reinforcement also added three blocks and three assists to his tally. His dominance in the paint allowed NLEX to stay competitive even when their outside shots weren’t falling early on.
Schonny Winston provided the necessary local support, finishing with 21 points and five rebounds. Gonzales, the hero of the night, ended with 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Robert Bolick, while struggling with his shot, remained the primary facilitator with 11 points and eight assists.
On the Meralco side, Marvin Jones led the charge with a double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds. Chris Newsome and former NLEX player Javee Mocon contributed 19 and 17 points, respectively. CJ Cansino added 14 points, while Brickman, despite his late-game heroics, finished with 13 markers.
Looking Ahead to PBA 2026
The win marks a turning point for NLEX as they head into the latter stages of the Commissioner’s Cup. According to The Sports Odds, the Road Warriors’ ability to win without their head coach on the floor and overcome a massive deficit against a powerhouse like Meralco establishes them as legitimate title contenders.
The box score reflected a grueling battle: NLEX 104 (Lalanne 34, Winston 21, Gonzales 15, Bolick 11, Bahio 9, Rodger 7, Semerad 5, Alas 2) versus Meralco 101 (Jones 25, Newsome 19, Mocon 17, Cansino 14, Brickman 13, Quinto 7, Banchero 6). The quarter scores told the story of the comeback: 14-19, 35-45, 64-76, 89-89, and finally 104-101 in overtime. Meralco will now head into a lengthy break before attempting to bounce back against the San Miguel Beermen on April 28.
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