Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 7) — The playoffs cast is now complete.

The NLEX Road Warriors swept the Alaska Aces, 87-83, in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Kevin Alas towed the Road Warriors with 18 points and nine rebounds.

NLEX found a way to take a 47-45 edge in the tightly contested first half .

With their backs against the wall, the Aces stepped on the gas to turn things around but they just could not hold the fort in the end.

JR Quiñahan and Michael Miranda added 16 points and 12 points for the Road Warriors, respectively.

Calvin Abueva paced Alaska with 17 markers and 16 boards in the losing effort.

Barangay Ginebra (@barangayginebra) and the NLEX Road Warriors (@ArangkadaNLEX) complete the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals cast. https://t.co/toRCuyScDk pic.twitter.com/pCAnaS9Q9D

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 7, 2018

NLEX will enter the semifinals for the first time since joining the league in 2014. They will face the Magnolia Hotshots in a best-of-seven series starting on March 10 at the Big Dome.

Here is the schedule of the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals | @paodelrosario pic.twitter.com/jsvYKGTyWz

— Sports Desk (@sportsdeskph) March 7, 2018

The scores:

NLEX (87) -- Alas 18, Quinahan 16, Miranda 12, Ravena 11, Mallari 8, Fonacier 7, Soyud 5, Tiongson 3, Ighalo 3, Taulava 2, Al-Husaini 2, Gotladera 0.

Alaska (83) -- Abueva 17, Excimiano 12, Casio 10, Racal 10, Manuel 9, Banchero 8, Thoss 8, Baclao 4, Enciso 2, Cruz 2, Magat 1, J. Pascual 0, Teng 0.

Quarterscores: 24-23, 49-43, 68-71, 87-83.