The NLEX Road Warriors have tied their 2018 Philippine Cup semifinals series with the Magnolia Hotshots at 2-2, as they zoomed past the Hotshots, 91-79, in Game Four, Friday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Road Warriors will have the chance to gain a 3-2 lead in the race-to-four affair in Game Five on Sunday, March 18, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
“After back-to-back wins by Magnolia, we felt that this was a big game for us — do or die na nga,” said head coach Yeng Guiao. “We had that sense of urgency tonight. Paminsan-minsan naman kami ang swertehin.
“There’s a bit of luck for us kasi our shots went in just like how their shots went in nung Game Three,” added Guiao. “I would like to give credit to our defense. I hope that we can keep up with this defense for the rest of the series.”
Top-ranked rookie Kiefer Ravena led NLEX with 20 points on top of five assists and three rebounds. JR Quiñahan had 14 points, with just two misses from the floor, and Kevin Alas produced 13 points, six boards, and five dimes.
The Road Warriors started to break away in the second half, opening the third quarter with 14 straight points — punctuated by Larry Fonacier’s leaner — to leave the Hotshots biting the dust, 55-39, with 7:42 on the clock.
NLEX then kept their foot firmly on the gas and never allowed Magnolia to come closer anymore. Their lead ballooned to as huge as 17, 82-65, after Ravena’s tough lay-up over the defense with 4:47 left in the game.
Fonacier chipped in 10 markers and five boards for the Road Warriors.
Ian Sangalang provided 15 points and 14 rebounds to lead Magnolia, but his numbers were negated by the six turnovers he committed. Mark Barroca and Paul Lee had 11 markers apiece, with the former adding seven dimes.
Game Three hero Jio Jalalon was limited to just 10 points, but made up for it in other departments, as he had six rebounds and four assists.
The Scores:
NLEX 91 — Ravena 20, Quiñahan 14, Alas 13, Fonacier 10, Baguio 9, Soyud 9, Rios 5, Tiongson 5, Mallari 4, Al-Hussaini 2, Miranda 0, Taulava 0.
Magnolia 79 — Sangalang 15, Barroca 11, Lee 11, Jalalon 10, Dela Rosa 9, Ramos 9, Simon 6, Reavis 4, Gamalinda 2, Pascual 2, Brondial 0, Herndon 0, Melton 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 25-20, 41-39, 69-59, 91-79.
