History was made on a Wednesday evening, as the NLEX Road Warriors will head into the semifinals for the first time in their four-year existence as they swept the more experienced Alaska Aces, 87-83, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Road Warriors — who have now defeated the Aces six straight times under head coach Yeng Guiao — will face the Magnolia Hotshots in a best-of-seven affair, which will start this Saturday, March 10, still at the Big Dome.
“May bonfire sa NLEX,” quipped Guiao, visibly glad with what his team had done. “We knew before the game that Alaska was going to get back at us a lot harder than in our first game. Our luck held up and the team deserves the credit.
“They really wanted this. They’re very hungry to make the semifinals and make our fans happy, make our supporters happy, our management happy. This bunch of guys were able to at least get to the farthest level that we can get,” the seven-time champion coach added.
Kevin Alas led the Road Warriors with 18 points and nine rebounds. Quiñahan, despite fouling out with 3:20 left, finished with 16 markers. Slotman Michael Miranda made his presence felt as he chipped in 12 points.
NLEX actually melted down in the third canto, when their seven-point lead suddenly became a 61-68 deficit, no thanks to a 20-6 scoring spree by the Milkmen punctuated by Kevin Racal’s trey with 2:54 on the clock.
But the Road Warriors were able to regain the upper hand afterwards, pulling off a 12-3 blitzkrieg — ended by Quiñahan’s three-pointer — in opening the final frame en route to an 80-74 cushion with 5:05 remaining.
The Aces were able to snatch the lead once more, 83-80, mainly behind Calvin Abueva and Ping Exciminiano, with exactly three minutes to go. But that proved to be the final blast that they would provide.
Miranda nailed a triple to tie the match, and made both of his freebies next to put NLEX up again, 85-83, with 2:06 to go. It was then followed up by Alas’ acrobatic lay-up with 1:12 left, enough to send Alaska home empty-handed.
Game One’s hero Kiefer Ravena had 11 points and seven assists for NLEX.
Abueva powered Alaska with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Exciminiano had 12 points and seven boards, while Kevin Racal made 10 markers and nine caroms. Jvee Casio supplied 10 as well, alongside five rebounds and six dimes.
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, Exciminiano 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.
