Anthony Takes Charge As NLEX Subdues Northport For 2nd Straight WinAnthony Takes Charge As NLEX
4 min read
SEAN Anthony has again proven that he is a force to be reckoned with as he led the NLEX Road Warriors to a commanding 95-87 victory over the NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA On Tour Wednesday, July 5.
The win marks NLEX’s second consecutive victory in the preseason series presented by Arena Plus and sponsored by Bingo Plus.
Anthony, who recently returned to the NLEX team, showcased his exceptional skills on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Gym. He dominated the game with a remarkable performance, contributing a game-high 25 points, eight rebounds and three steals in just over 37 minutes of play. His point total doubled his tournament average, and he played 10 minutes more than his usual on-court time in previous games.
The 37-year-old veteran’s outstanding performance energized the Road Warriors and propelled them to victory. Anthony’s contributions were particularly significant in the fourth quarter, where he scored 10 crucial points that extended NLEX’s lead from a narrow 76-71 margin. His consecutive layups in the game’s closing minutes secured a comfortable 93-79 advantage that NorthPort couldn’t overcome.
Despite his impressive individual performance, Anthony humbly acknowledged his teammates’ efforts in securing the win. “Good team win,” he remarked. “A lot of guys stepped up in the end… and we made the shots when needed.”
Indeed, Anthony had ample support from his teammates throughout the game. Clint Doliguez, Don Trollano, Kris Rosales, and Kevin Alas all contributed at least 11 points each, while Ben Adamos grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. The collective effort of the Road Warriors proved too much for the Batang Pier to handle.
NorthPort, despite Paul Zamar’s solid performance of 22 points, nine boards, and six assists, suffered their second consecutive loss in the preseason series. Zamar’s impressive numbers were complemented by JM Calma’s 17 baskets, seven rebounds, and MJ Ayaay’s 13 points. However, the Batang Pier’s struggles with shooting accuracy and 17 turnovers ultimately sealed their fate.
Arvin Tolentino, who had a slow start to the game, managed to find his rhythm in the fourth quarter and contributed eight of his nine points. Tolentino had an opportunity to make the game more competitive after narrowing the gap to 82-93, but he missed three consecutive free throws.
Meanwhile, Joshua Munzon struggled with his shooting, going 2-of-12 from the field and finishing with just six points. Despite his scoring struggles, Munzon impacted other areas of the game, leading the match in rebounds with nine and assists with eight.
With this victory, the NLEX Road Warriors improved their record to 3-4 in the preseason series, joining NorthPort in a tie. NLEX’s recent success can be attributed to Anthony’s exceptional performance and the collective effort of the entire team as they continue to showcase their potential as strong contenders in the upcoming season.
The box scores:
NLEX (95) – Anthony 25, Doliguez 14, Rosales 13, Trollano 12, Alas 11, Adamos 10, Pascual 6, Nieto 2, Guissani 2, Paniamogan 0.
NorthPort (87) – Zamar 22, Calma 17, Ayaay 13, Tolentino 9, Santos 7, Yu 6, Munzon 6, Salado 3, Gabriel 2, Balagasay 2, Bauzon 0.
