NLEX's Robert Bolick in action against San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, December 8, 2024 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. PBA ImagesMANILA -- Robert Bolick was unstoppable in the final period and the NLEX Road Warriors clawed out of a double-digit hole to defeat San Miguel Beer, 104-99, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Bolick scored 20 of his game-high 39 points in the final quarter while adding nine assists, as the Road Warriors erased a 19-point deficit to rack up their third win in a row.

They improved to 3-1 in the conference, while dropping San Miguel to 1-1 as the Beermen failed to build on a slim win against Phoenix in their first assignment. 

Bolick put the Road Warriors ahead for good with 1:27 to go when he knocked down a four-pointer over the outstretched arms of Marcio Lassiter, then fired an outlet pass to import Michael Griffin-Watkins in the next possession for a slam dunk that made it 100-94 with 81 seconds to play.

"It makes your offensive game plan easier, when you have Robert. He makes great decisions, he makes big shots, he plays defense. So it's a luxury," NLEX coach Jong Uichico said of Bolick.

"I'm lucky that I have Robert as our lead point guard. You know he'll be there in the end game," he added.

Griffin-Watkins had 17 points and a whopping 28 rebounds in 44 minutes of action, while Anthony Semerad added 12 points. As a team, the Road Warriors shot 44.7% from the field, making 12 of their 27 three-pointers.

Squandered in the loss was a 20-point, 19-rebound effort by June Mar Fajardo. San Miguel import Quincy Miller had 21 points, though he only shot eight-of-21 from the field. 

The Beermen led 65-46 early in the third quarter off a Miller and-1, and appeared to be on their way to a comfortable win. But the Road Warriors slowly worked their way back thanks to Griffin-Watkins, who knocked down a jumper that made it a four-point game, 75-71, entering the final period.

San Miguel had no answer for Bolick in the fourth, and NLEX outscored them 33-24 to complete their comeback. 

A three-pointer by Juami Tiongson and a Fajardo layup had given the Beermen some hope, 102-99, with still 11.4 seconds to go. But Bolick coolly knocked down two charities with 10 seconds left to wrap up the win in NLEX's favor.

The Scores :

NLEX 104 – Bolick 39, Watkins 17, Semerad 12, Torres 11, Valdez 10, Rodger 8, Alas 4, Herndon 3, Marcelo 0, Bahio 0

SAN MIGUEL 99 – Miller 21, Fajardo 20, Perez 14, Tiongson 11, Tautuaa 1, Trollano 10, Lassiter 6, Brondial 2, Cahilig 2, Rosales 2, Cruz 0, Ross 0, Enciso 0

QUARTERS :  17-21, 40-53, 71-75, 104-99