NLEX came all the way back from 22 points down and disappointed Rain or Shine in overtime, 109-100, to strengthen its bid for a Top Four finish in the 2022 PBA Governors’ Cup, Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Road Warriors opened the extra period with eight straight points, taking the fight out of a spent Elasto Painters side as they went on to stretch their winning streak to three to remain at third place with a 6-3 record
“This game is a testament to the character of the boys,” lauded head coach Yeng Guiao. “Before this, ‘yung dalawang panalo namin, medyo malaki lamang namin. Ito naman, dikitan talaga. Kami naman ang nilamangan ng malaki.”
“Kami ‘yung humabol and we were able to pull it out in overtime. That’s a testament to the character of the team., we can win in different ways,” he continued.
KJ McDaniels powered NLEX with 35 points and 12 rebounds. He poured 27 of his points in the second half, 15 of which he made in the third quarter where they began to close in after falling behind 54-32 late in the first half.
Kevin Alas made 15 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists in yet another stellar all-around outing. Jericho Cruz and JR Quinahan added 13 apiece. This was Cruz’s last game for NLEX before entering unrestricted free agency on March 1.
And it was the same four who scored in all of the Road Warriors’ 8-0 run to start the deciding period for a 105-97 lead with 1:35 to go as the Road Warriors found their extra gear to gain the needed head start against the opposition.
Rey Nambatac tried to will his side with a three-point play with 1:18 left, but Don Trollano’s free throws and Alas’ lay-up finished it off.
NLEX now has its sights set on Ginebra next Friday to wrap up its elimination round. A win could cement the team a Top Four spot in the quarterfinals.
“Palagay ko, ready na kami,” opined Guiao when asked if his Road Warriors are all set for the playoffs. “Kahit marami kaming injuries.”
Meanwhile, Henry Walker led Rain or Shine with 28 points and 13 rebounds in the loss that definitely hit its quarterfinal hopes.
The Elasto Painters have fallen to 3-6 after their third consecutive defeat, meaning that they will have to win their remaining games versus San Miguel on March 3 and Ginebra three days after to remain in the hunt.
Rey Nambatac finished with 27 points on four three-pointers, while Javee Mocon added 11 markers on 17 shots.
Nambatac, who gave RoS the 97-92 lead late in regulation, actually had a chance to win the game. But his runner missed as time expired.
it also didn’t help that the Elasto Painters lost Walker with 3:13 left in OT as he was whistled for his sixth and last foul against Alas.
The Scores:
NLEX 109 – McDaniels 35, Alas 15, Cruz 13, Quinahan 13, Rosales 9, Soyud 9, Trollano 5, Nieto 4, Paniamogan 3, Ighalo 3, Varilla 0, Magat 0.
Rain or Shine 100 – Walker 28, Nambatac 27, Mocon 11, Santillan 8, Nieto 6, Torres 7, Borboran 4, Norwood 3, Jackson 3, Guinto 3, Asistio 0.
Quarterscores: 23-31, 38-55, 70-72, 97-97, 109-100.
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