NLEX def San Miguel, 102-94 [PBA on Tour | June 28, 2023]

NLEX overcame a 19-point deficit to defeat a severely depleted San Miguel side, 102-94, in the PBA on Tour, Wednesday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The unheralded Dominic Fajardo joined forces with stars Kevin Alas and Don Trollano as all three contributed to the Road Warriors’ second victory in the preseason exhibition games while sending the Beermen spiraling to their fourth consecutive loss.

Fajardo, who started the game for NLEX, scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Alas and Trollano took turns in the second half carrying the Road Warriors to victory.

Alas scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, while Trollano finished with 19 after keeping NLEX afloat against the Beermen’s massive second-quarter surge.

Then, Trollano, Fajardo, and Kris Rosales assisted NLEX in reducing the deficit over the final two quarters.

With less than a minute remaining in the game and the Beermen leading by four points, 87-83, the Road Warriors embarked on a decisive 13-7 run to seize the lead for good, 100-94.

In the final two minutes of the contest, despite SMB’s best efforts, the team was unable to score a single basket.

Allyn Bulanadi scored 26 points for the Beermen, who were without Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Simon Enciso, and Terrence Romeo, while Jericho Cruz contributed 22 points.

Rodney Brondial held down the fort in the absence of June Mar Fajardo, Mo Tautuaa, and Vic Manuel with a 20-20 performance of 22 points and 24 rebounds, but it was not enough to end the team’s losing streak.