Though they blew a 31-point lead, the NLEX Road Warriors still managed to do enough when needed to down the Columbian Dyip, 107-97, for their first win in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup, Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Marion Magat, Poy Erram, and Philip Paniamogan joined hands in the fourth quarter to regain control of the match, as Columbian made a spirited rally in the second half and closed within five points twice with nine minutes to play.
NLEX has finally broken through the win column after three failed attempts while sending Columbian down to 2-2.
“We’re just taking it one game at a time. We had three dissapointing losses before this so this is a welcome relief,” said head coach Yeng Guiao. “Especially against Columbian, which has been playing well in the last few games.”
Erram paced the Road Warriors with 23 points and 10 rebounds with five blocks. Kenneth Ighalo had himself an evening as he produced 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Magat impressed as well with 14 markers and 13 caroms.
NLEX started the match firing on all cylinders, allowing them to open the match with a 27-6 lead that opened the floodgates and drowned the opposition to as deep as 31, 65-34, just a few minutes heading into the break.
But the Dyip did not let the Road Warriors have an easy cruise to the win. They came back strong in the second half, which saw them outscore NLEX 36-17 in the third quarter to make it just a seven-point game heading into the fourth.
Columbian would eventually knock within five twice thanks to the baskets of rookies JP Calvo and CJ Perez with about nine minutes left in the game.
That, however, proved to be their last hurrah. Magat, Erram, and Paniamogan joined forces and made a 9-2 run to restore order, 100-88, with 4:06 left, and that had been more than enough to end Columbian once and for all.
“It’s hard to put away a team like Columbian. They just come at you every time. They don’t stop, they’re relentless. They’re going to be a force to contend with this conference. We’re just glad nakaraos kami sa kanila,” Guiao said.
Kevin Alas has finally regained his touch after shooting 2-of-21 from the field in the last two games, as he shot 5-of-8 to chip in 13 markers for the Road Warriors. Paniamogan supplied 11 points, six boards, three assists, and three steals.
JayR Reyes led Columbian with 17 points and nine rebounds. Perez finished with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds with five assists; Rashawn McCarthy had 16 markers as well; and Reden Celda supplied 14 points.
Both teams will see action again on Saturday, February 2, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. NLEX will raise the curtains at 4:30 PM by taking on the Meralco Bolts, and Columbian will play at the 6:45 main event versus Ginebra.
The Scores:
NLEX 107 – Erram 23, Ighalo 19, Magat 14, Alas 13, Paniamogan 11, Galanza 9, Taulava 6, Tallo 5, Porter 4, Tiongson 3, Soyud 0, Baguio 0, Fonacier 0.
Columbian 97 – Reyes 17, Perez 16, McCarthy 16, Celda 14, Escoto 10, Cahilig 8, Calvo 7, Faundo 5, Cabrera 2, Agovida 2, Corpuz 0, Camson 0, Khobuntin 0, Tabi 0.
Quarterscores: 39-16, 68-42, 85-78, 107-97.
