Rappler Fastbreak: NLEX rolls over Air21-JRU; Cagayan rises

Cagayan Valley Rising Suns (91) – (76) Blackwater Sports

BEST: James Forrester, Eliud Poligrates and Raymund Almazan rose to the occasion, as Mark Bringas and Ping Exciminiano were brought virtually nothing. The three teamed up to post 59 points, twenty three rebounds, ten assists, two steals and three blocks as the Rising Suns inched one game closer to the finals.

WORST: Court General Jeric Fortuna played 29 minutes but only managed to score five points. The 5-foot-7 guard just made two field goals out of ten attempts. The Sports were clearly outrebounded by the Rising Suns as well, 57-45. 

From the horse’s mouth: “The chance is there so why not grab it? It’s our first time in the semis, and we are one win away from the finals. Let’s not waste the opportunity and grab the next win,” Coach Alvin Pua said as his team stepped closer to making history.

NLEX Road Warriors (105) – (85) Air21 – JRU Heavy Bombers

BEST: Nico Salva and Ian Sangalang. The Road Warriors’ big man duo combined for 31 points and 11 rebounds, frustrating Air 21-JRU’s frontcourt with their solid post play and smooth sniping from midrange.

WORST: Air21 – JRU. The Heavy Bombers stood nary a chance, dropping behind early and not having ammunition to launch a serious comeback. Air 21 – JRU’s performance Tuesday was a far cry from their November tiff against NLEX, when they almost pulled the rug from under the Road Warriors before fading in the end. 

TOO LATE THE HERO: Byron Villarias might have scored 21 points for the Heavy Bombers, but almost all of those meant nothing as he drilled in 19 markers — six triples — in the fourth, when the outcome’s been decided already.