Robert Bolick (with ball) still gets away with 20 points despite being pressured by Phoenix all game. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

NLEX completed the quarterfinal cast in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum after its 105-95 win over Phoenix, also shoved three teams into the next phase of the league’s most important tournament.

With that, the Road Warriors are now going to aim at something bigger with one of the four twice-to-beat incentives that would enhance their title chances up for grabs entering the final two weeks of the eliminations.

Coach Jong Uichico, however, has something to point out, even if the end result would see his squad get an unusual place in the top four.

“If we’re in the top four, it means that the teams at the bottom [four] are stronger,” said Uichico. “But if you’re in the bottom four, we will still face stronger teams. So regardless of our position, we’re up for a big task.

“But of course, we like to have that twice-to-beat so we can have that advantage going into the playoffs,” added Uichico.

The victory, which came with some rough patches against a determined Phoenix side, gave NLEX a 7-2 record going into the final two games against pacesetter Magnolia and NorthPort.

Magnolia was playing Barangay Ginebra at press time. The Hotshots and the Road Warriors square off on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

But the most important part of the result was that the Gin Kings didn’t need to sweat it out, along with TNT and Rain or Shine, to claim their place in the quarters as Phoenix fell to 2-7 to become the fourth and last team to be eliminated.

Ginebra, TNT and Rain or Shine had identical 5-3 slates before the doubleheader began.

Magnolia had a 7-1 record before the renewal of its so-called “Manila Clasico” series with Ginebra; San Miguel Beer is at 6-2, Converge 6-4 while defending champion Meralco ended classification at 6-5.

Covering for Bolick

Javee Mocon’s 23 points and nine rebounds were among the keys to the win, which NLEX hopes can be sustained going into the homestretch of the eliminations. Mocon has been one of a variety of players throughout the campaign, providing important cover for Road Warriors main man Robert Bolick.

Bolick had 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Road Warriors.

JB Bahio posted 15 points and five rebounds, veteran Tony Semerad dropped 14 and Xyrus Torres added 13.

Jason Perkins dropped 28 points with seven rebounds and three assists as the Fuel Masters hope to finish the season on a bright note.

Phoenix wraps up its Season 49 stint against NorthPort on Wednesday at PhilSports Arena and Blackwater on June 13 at Ninoy Aquino. INQ