NLEX spoils Rain or Shine's PH Cup opener; NorthPort routs TerraFirma

Xyrus Torres of NLEX soars for a layup against Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, April 12, 2025 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. PBA Images

MANILA — The NLEX Road Warriors got on the board in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the expense of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 109-95, Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

It was a bounce-back win for the Road Warriors, who opened their campaign with a loss to San Miguel Beer where they failed to complete a fourth quarter comeback.

They also denied the Elasto Painters a winning start to the conference.

Xyrus Torres torched Rain or Shine for 28 points on a stunning 11-of-12 shooting clip, with the former Far Eastern University standout making five of his six attempts from long distance.

Robert Bolick finished with 23 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds, though he was also responsible for six of NLEX's 16 turnovers. 

Anthony Semerad (18 points) and Javee Mocon (12) also finished in double-digits for the now 1-1 NLEX.

Caelan Tiongson was the bright spot for Rain or Shine with 24 points but the Elasto Painters had no answer for NLEX's blistering shooting. As a team, the Road Warriors made 11 of 18 three-pointers and knocked down 55.3% of their shots. 

In another game, NorthPort kicked off their own campaign on a strong note by demolishing TerraFirma, 97-75. 

Five players scored in double-digits, with Arvin Tolentino flirting with a triple-double as he tallied 19 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds. 

Will Navarro also finished with a double-double, with 18 points and 10 boards.

TerraFirma absorbed a second loss in a row to fall to 1-2.

The scores:

NLEX vs ROS

NLEX 109 – Torres 28, Bolick 23, Semerad 18, Mocon 12, Bahio 8, Nieto 5, Fajardo 5, Ramirez 3, Policarpio 2, Alas 2, Miranda 2, Valdez 1

RAIN OR SHINE 95 – Tiongson 24, Santillan 13, Clarito 12, Nocum 11, Mamuyac 10, Caracut 9, Norwood 6, Malonzo 5, Asistio 2, Lemetti 3, Datu 0

QUARTERS: 32-25, 60-50, 86-73, 109-95

NorthPort vs TerraFirma

NORTHPORT 97 – Tolentino 19, Navarro 18, Munzon 15, Bulanadi 10, Onwubere 10, Cuntapay 8, Yu 6, Nelle 6, Flores 3, Taha 2, Miranda 0, Tratter 0, Nava 0

TERRAFIRMA 75 – Catapusan 16, Ferrer 15, Sangalang 10, Paraiso 10, Nonoy 9, Melecio 3, Ramos 3, Pringle 2, Hernandez 2, Romeo 2, Olivario 2, Zaldivar 1, Hanapi 0

QUARTERS: 24-13, 47-38, 70-58, 97-75