NLEX turned in a strong fourth quarter to send the free-falling Converge reeling to its third straight loss, 119-107, to remain perfect in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
DeQuan Jones finished with 28 points and nine rebounds, while Deschon Winston came through with 24 as the two headed the solid windup that saved the Road Warriors from a massive collapse after losing a lead as big as 19.
Coach Jimmy Alapag’s men, in fact, roared to a 42-27 lead after the first quarter but fell flat in the ensuing frame, enabling the FiberXers to respond to 37 big points to close within one entering the break, making it a close affair.
Fortunately for the crew, they had way better poise come the final period care of the aforementioned tandem, with Jones powering a 12-0 run toward a 117-105 lead with 2:36 left—their reply to their foes’ rally that cut the gap to a field goal.
And that proved to be enough for NLEX to put it away, eventually chalking up its fifth win in as many games to maintain its hold of the Group A lead.
