NLEX averted a 20-point meltdown, escaping the Meralco Bolts with a 105-99 victory to seize early leadership in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup, Friday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
JR Quiñahan topscored for the Road Warriors with 19 points built on five treys, in the win that hiked their card to 2-0.
Import Olu Ashaolu produced 17 points and 13 rebounds. Meanwhile, Kiefer Ravena missed out on a triple-double, finishing with 15 points, eight boards, and eight assists and also a steal.
Kenneth Ighalo shot 6-for-6 from the field for 15 points, while Larry Fonacier had 11. Jericho Cruz added 10, as a total of six Road Warriors finished in double-figures in the conquest.
“It’s been a long time since we put together two wins in a row. It really feels good,” said coach Yeng Guiao. “We’re having a good start this conference. I hope we can sustain it.”
The Road Warriors were already sitting comfortably on an 83-63 cushion late in the third canto. But the Bolts roared back and knocked within just four, 100-96, with 1:13 left in the final chapter.
Ravena then managed to find Cruz underneath the rim to make it 102-96. Their lead widened to eight after Raymond Almazan got called for goaltending with 37.3 seconds left.
Split free throws by Ashaolu with 25.5 seconds left to play even made it a nine-point gap, 105-96. That lead then proved to be too insurmountable for the Orangemen to climb.
NLEX managed to bag the win even without top big man Poy Erram, who will be out for at least two weeks due to an elbow injury he sustained last week versus Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters.
On the other hand, Allen Durham finished with 32 points, 19 rebounds, three assists, and three steals to lead Meralco, who fell to 1-1.
Almazan nearly had a 20-20 outing as he collected 17 points and 17 rebounds along with two blocks and a steal. Baser Amer supplied 15 markers, four dimes, and three boards in the loss.
NLEX will battle the Blackwater Elite (0-1) next on Sunday, September 29, in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Meanwhile, Meralco will next face the Alaska Aces (0-2) next Friday, October 4, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
NLEX (105) – Quinahan 17, Ashaolu 17, Ravena 15, Ighalo 15, Fonacier 11, Cruz 10, Galanza 9, Paniamogan 5, Miranda 2, Baguio 2, Rios 0, Lao 0, Soyud 0, Paredes 0.
Meralco (99) – Durham 32, Almazan 17, Amer 15, Caram 8, Newsome 7, Salva 6, Quinto 5, Hugnatan 5, Faundo 2, Pinto 2, Jackson 0, Tolomia 0, De Ocampo 0.
Quarterscores: 28-25, 55-46, 83-68, 105-99.
