Lalanne dominates as NLEX keeps Macau winless
ANTIPOLO—Cady Lalanne acknowledged that NLEX faced a tricky situation against Macau in a Tuesday night game that pitted one of the top teams in the standings against the one sitting at the bottom.
But somehow, the Road Warriors, behind Lalanne and a collection of players stepping up, figured it out and continued their winning form in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 106-97 triumph.
“Macau is one of those teams that every coach knows that is gonna be scary to play because they’re 0-6 with nothing to lose and it’s hard to motivate a team like that,” Lalanne said after NLEX improved to a 5-1 win-loss slate the hard way.
NLEX surged at the start with a 26-12 lead, before Macau went on a comeback trail in the second, and had the lead entering the fourth quarter.
But the likes of JB Bahio, Kevin Alas, Schonny Winston and Robert Bolick, along with Lalanne, were able to put the Road Warriors back in the driver’s seat before eventually securing a third straight win and a share of second place with the Meralco Bolts, their next opponent.
Meralco next
“I think we came out strong, but they made their run and we had to come back in it and make some adjustments,” said Lalanne. “But Macau’s a great team. They’re just struggling and we can’t underestimate a team like that.”
The Road Warriors are hoping to be at their best on Friday as they play their sister team Meralco at the other Ynares Center in Rodriguez.
Lalanne will be up against the Bolts, with whom he played a game in the East Asia Super League. NLEX loaned Lalanne to Meralco, who paired him with current Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee against the Japanese powerhouse Ryukyu Golden Kings.
So far in the conference, Lalanne has been one of the best imports in the league, and his 28-point, 18-rebound effort on Tuesday showed why.
“My whole plan is to come in and just dominate as much as possible,” said Lalanne, who can score both inside and out while also providing the rebounds using his 6-foot-10 frame. “My teammates have done a good job finding me, and the coaches are doing a great job giving me the right position.
“And I think that’s what’s helping me play well, and just being aggressive.”
Meanwhile, unbeaten Rain or Shine goes for a 7-0 record and a virtual first seat in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, when it goes up against Terrafirma—a team that has been on a downward slope after a dream 3-0 start was ruined by three straight losses.
That game is at 7:30 p.m., after the 5:15 p.m. opener pitting Converge (1-5) and Titan Ultra (2-3).
