BENGALURU, India — A flagrant foul all but decided the outcome as NLEX survived Phoenix Super LPG, 97-92, to start the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals Sunday evening at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Road Warriors were clinging to a 94-92 lead, and the Fuel Masters were still very much in it. But import Marcellus Earlington collided with Enoch Valdez as the latter was trying to get past midcourt, flooring the young wing.
Earlington was later assessed with a flagrant foul, and that ended his night, as well as spelled doom for his side.
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L-Jay Gonzales widened the gap to three with a split, before Deonte Burton sealed the deal with a perfect trip to the line for the final count with 13.8 seconds left.
By weathering Phoenix, Coach Jimmy Alapag and his men have gained the head start in their best-of-five series. The team can take a commanding 2-0 lead in Game 2 on Wednesday, October 28, 7:30 PM, still at Ynares Antipolo.
“Phoenix has been a resilient team throughout the conference, so it’s expected that they’ll continue to play,” said the former MVP turned mentor.
“I thought they clawed and fought throughout the game, but I thought down the stretch we made enough plays, especially on the defensive end,” he added.
Import Burton finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead NLEX, who still managed to come out on top despite committing a total of 31 fouls.
Robert Bolick had 20 points, while Deschon Winston and veteran bruiser Tony Semerad chipped in 13 and 11 markers, respectively, in the escape.
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“The staff and I will take a look at the film, see how we can help the guys, and be better on Wednesday,” Alapag said. “But thankful for the win.”
Ricci Rivero had 24 points, nine rebounds, and five assists to lead Phoenix, who got as close as 90-89 but unfortunately could not get ahead.
Kai Ballungay had 20 points and nine rebounds, with Earlington and Gian Mamuyac adding at least 11 markers apiece for a squad that continued to miss the services of star forward Jason Perkins due to an injury.
The Scores:
NLEX 97 – Burton 27, Bolick 20, Winston 13, Semerad 11, Alas 6, Gonzales 6, Herndon 5, Valdez 5, Bahio 4, Racal 0, Nieto 0, Gamboa 0, Marcelo 0.
Phoenix 92 – Rivero 24, Ballungay 20, Earlington 14, Mamuyac 11, Tio 9, Tuffin 7, Santos 5, Delos Santos 2, Escandor 0.
Quarterscores: 29-26; 56-48; 77-73; 97-92.
