The NLEX Road Warriors are assured of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals after a 100-81 win over the Converge FiberXers on Saturday, May 2, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Cady Lalanne put up 22 points and 14 rebounds while Schonny Winston and Robert Bolick each had 21 points for NLEX, which improved to 9-2 in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

The Road Warriors are the first team to seal a playoff bonus in the competition.

They got it done by outplaying the FiberXers in the second half, after trailing 36-35 at the break thanks to an and-1 play by Converge’s Jonnel Policarpio.

NLEX regrouped in the third quarter, where they outscored Converge 28-18 behind Winston, who had 11 points in the pivotal frame.

The Road Warriors pulled away from there and built a lead as large as 21 points, 96-75, with a little over two minutes left off an Anthony Semerad bucket.

Big man Justin Arana led Converge with 21 points, as their import Donovan Smith struggled with only six points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field.

The FiberXers dropped to 4-7, officially eliminating them from playoff contention. (ABS-CBN News)