After barely 48 hours of break, the NLEX Road Warriors still managed to collect their second straight victory in the 2018 Governors’ Cup by spoiling the debut of the NorthPort Batang Pier, 123-107, Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Yeng Guiao-less Road Warriors – who are coming off an impressive 103-90 win over sister team TNT KaTropa last Friday in the conference opener, also in Antipolo – are now on top of the team standings with a 2-0 record.
“It’s a nice start,” said interim head coach Jojo Lastimosa. “But we’re not fooling ourselves… I told the guys that sometimes we feel good about ourselves, but we’re not really that good.”
Olu Ashaolu continues to embody the warrior’s spirit, playing as if he isn’t hobbled by a patellar tendon rupture as he led NLEX with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Larry Fonacier and Mac Tallo chipped in 14 markers apiece.
JR Quiñahan had 12 points and seven rebounds, while Kenneth Ighalo supplied 11 markers and three boards.
Six of Ighalo’s points came late in the fourth quarter, as he drained back-to-back triples inside 4:30 to repel the Batang Pier, who managed to come back from an 18-point deficit and knocked within nine, 95-104, with 4:47 on the clock.
Alex Mallari and Juami Tiongson had 10 points each in the win.
Debuting reinforcement Rashad Woods led NorthPort with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Mo Tautuaa supplied 20 points and 12 rebounds as well, while Paolo Taha produced 15 points and five rebounds.
NLEX will look to make it three in a row versus the Magnolia Hotshots on Wednesday, August 22, 7PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, while NorthPort will face the Phoenix Fuel Masters next Sunday, also at the Big Dome.
The Scores
NLEX 123 – Ashaolu 27, Fonacier 14, Tallo 14, Quinahan 12, Ighalo 12, Mallari 10, Baguio 8, Paniamogan 5, Galanza 4, Marcelo 4, Miranda 4.
NorthPort 107 – Woods 42, Tautuaa 20, Taha 15, Grey 13, Javelona 8, Teng 5, Guinto 3, Elorde 1, Espinas 0, Gabayni 0
Quarterscores: 34-19, 61-58, 84-78, 123-107.
