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The NLEX Road Warriors delivered an emphatic response to their opening game loss in the 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup, defeating the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 109–95, Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The win marks NLEX’s first of the conference, bringing their record to 1–1 and injecting momentum into their campaign after a disappointing debut loss to San Miguel.
Rookie Xyrus Torres Explodes in Breakout Performance
Leading the charge for NLEX was rookie sensation Xyrus Torres, who turned in a career-defining performance in just his second PBA game. The young gun lit up the scoreboard with 28 points on an incredible 11-of-12 shooting, showcasing his deadly accuracy and calm under pressure. His near-perfect night highlighted his potential as a future star in the league and gave the Road Warriors a much-needed spark on offense.
Bolick’s All-Around Brilliance Powers NLEX
Not to be outdone, veteran playmaker Robert Bolick continued his strong start to the season with a well-rounded performance. Bolick posted 23 points, 12 assists, and 7 rebounds, orchestrating the offense with poise and controlling the game’s tempo from start to finish. His leadership and scoring touch were crucial in keeping Rain or Shine at bay, especially when the Elasto Painters made brief runs to stay competitive.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
While Torres and Bolick stole the spotlight, the Road Warriors also got key contributions from their role players. Anthony Semerad chipped in 18 points and 7 rebounds, giving the team consistent effort on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Javee Mocon added a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards, providing inside toughness and rebounding presence that helped neutralize Rain or Shine’s interior attack.
Road Warriors Shake Off Slow Start
Rain or Shine looked sharp out of the gates, opening the game with an early 11-point lead, seemingly poised for a strong start to their own campaign. But NLEX weathered the storm and closed the first quarter with a 32–25 lead, flipping the momentum and never looking back.
By halftime, the Road Warriors built a 60–50 cushion, extended it to 86–73 entering the fourth, and maintained control until the final buzzer. The team’s offensive rhythm, ball movement, and high-percentage shooting gave them a comfortable advantage for most of the contest.
Sharp Shooting vs. Struggles Beyond the Arc
The contrast in shooting efficiency played a pivotal role in the game. NLEX scorched the nets at a blistering 55.4% shooting clip, including 31 field goals on 56 attempts—numbers that speak volumes about their offensive execution.
In contrast, Rain or Shine heavily relied on the three-point shot but could only convert 13 of 36 attempts from beyond the arc (36.1%). Overall, they shot just 40.7% from the field, making it difficult to sustain runs or claw back into contention in the second half.
Tiongson Leads Rain or Shine’s Scoring Effort
For the Elasto Painters, Caelan Tiongson led the way with 24 points, including 3-of-6 shooting from downtown. He was one of the few consistent offensive options for coach Yeng Guiao’s squad. Off the bench, Leonard Santillan (13 points), Jhonard Clarito (12), and Gian Mamuyac (10) contributed solid efforts, while Adrian Nocum added 11 points in a starting role.
Despite their balanced scoring, the Elasto Painters couldn’t match the firepower and efficiency of the Road Warriors, ultimately falling short in their season debut.
With this win, NLEX now evens its record and gains confidence moving forward in the All-Filipino conference. The combination of rising stars like Torres and steady veterans like Bolick offers a promising foundation for the rest of their campaign.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine will look to bounce back quickly after a disappointing opener. Their offensive potential remains high, but improvements in shot selection and defensive consistency will be key if they hope to replicate their earlier Final Four success from the previous conferences.