Manny Harris showed the way for NLEX as the Road Warriors dealt the TNT KaTropa their first loss in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup following an impressive 126-113 conquest, Friday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-3 import exploded for 20 points in the third quarter alone, including seven in a big 20-4 blitz that saw the Road Warriors flip a four-point deficit to a wide 90-78 advantage with 44 seconds left in the said period.
And when TNT tried to get back into the game by slicing NLEX’s lead to just eight, 111-103, with 3:16 to go in the game clock, Harris scored eight of the Road Warriors’ final 15 points of the match to wham the nail in the coffin.
Harris finished with 40 points — his second straight 40-point game as he had 45 in his debut last week — on top of nine assists and six rebounds. The former NBA cager also made his presence felt on defense with seven steals.
“Great game by Harris,” lauded coach Yeng Guiao. “He showed he’s not only a scorer, he’s also a defender.”
Kiefer Ravena showcased his floor generalship once more, producing 16 points and 13 assists in the victory that hiked the Road Warriors’ win-loss record to 6-1, which has assured them of a spot in the quarterfinals.
Jericho Cruz had 15 points, six rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Poy Erram supplied 14 points, including the hook shot to cap off a 10-2 run to start the final frame that gave NLEX its biggest lead of the game at 18, 100-82.
“Great effort by the guys. TNT is such a strong team. There’s a reason they’re undefeated up to this point. We made sure we were ready for them. We prepared hard,” said Guiao as NLEX gave TNT its first loss after a 7-0 start.
KJ McDaniels powered the KaTropa with 42 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks against eight turnovers.
Roger Pogoy had 35 points while Troy Rosario and Don Trollano added 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss.
TNT is still on top of the team standings despite the defeat as it is a half-a-game ahead of NLEX.
NLEX will take on the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (2-5) next on October 30, Wednesday, at the Cuneta Astrodome, while TNT will look to bounce back versus Ginebra (3-2) next Friday, November 8, still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
NLEX 126 – Harris 40, Ravena 16, Cruz 15, Erram 14, Quinahan 10, Paniamogan 8, Soyud 8, Miranda 6, Galanza 5, Fonacier 3, Ighalo 1.
TNT 113 – McDaniels 42, Pogoy 35, Rosario 11, Trollano 10, Digregorio 6, Reyes 4, Taha 3, Vosotros 2, Castro 0, Washington 0, De Leon 0.
Quarterscores: 24-26, 51-53, 90-80, 126-113.
