NLEX showed no mercy as it kept Blackwater winless, 117-97, to end its three-game slide in the PBA Governors’ Cup, Friday at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Road Warriors broke the game wide open in the first quarter, kickstarting the one-sided show in their favor as they went on to extend the Bossing’s record of futility to 26. The Dioceldo Sy-owned franchise is now 0-7 in the tilt.
“Gusto lang namin ma-break ‘yung losing streak,” said coach Yeng Guiao. “After a good start where we won four games, we lost three straight. We felt that if we lost again, this would be a big hole that we might not be able to come out from.”
KJ McDaniels spearheaded the mauling with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks but he wasn’t solely the reason that hiked NLEX’s card to 5-3.
The veteran import received ample support from the locals. Jericho Cruz contributed a conference-high 22 points and five assists.
Cruz was the one who sparked the Road Warriors’ early breakaway, sinking a jumper to light up an 18-2 blitzkrieg to turn a two-point deficit to a 24-10 lead with about four minutes left in the opening chapter.
It was a 28-6 run to end the frame all in all — a run that saw McDaniels and the trio of Kris Rosales, Kevin Alas, and Don Trollano help out as well.
Rosales produced 18 points on 3-of-4 shooting from deep in his best showing thus far in the tournament. Alas produced 15 points, six rebounds, and four dimes, as forward Trollano chipped in 11 markers.
“Overall, we played good defense. Jericho played really well, si Kevin in the endgame, KJ was his usual self. We’re hoping by next week, we can recover and get back to a winning streak. Yun lang,” said Guiao.
NLEX will have the opportunity to chalk up another win when it takes on Alaska on Wednesday, February 23, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Meanwhile, Shawn Glover led Blackwater with 39 points and 15 rebounds. Mike Ayonayon and Rey Suerte chimed in 11 points apiece.
The Bossing crew that played was totally far from the one that showed up against Terrafirma last week, who showed great promise of finally ending their skid after leading by double digits in the final minutes only to collapse.
They actually did show some signs of life against the Road Warriors, when they cut the gap to just 12 in the fourth after going down by 26 late in the previous frame. But Cruz and Co. were quick to stop them on their tracks.
Blackwater will have a week to regroup before shooting for that elusive win against defending champs Ginebra next Friday at 6, also in Antipolo.
The Scores:
NLEX 117 – McDaniels 24, Cruz 22, Rosales 18, Alas 15, Trollano 11, Murrell 7, Quinahan 6, Nieto 5, Magat 4, Galanza 3, Soyud 2, Paniamogan 0, Varilla 0, Porter 0, Ighalo 0.
Blackwater 97 – Glover 39, Ayonayon 11, Suerte 11, Amer 8, McCarthy 7, Baloria 5, Escoto 4, Ebona 3, Desiderio 3, Washington 2, Ambulodto 2, Melton 2, Chauca 0, Paras 0, Casio 0.
Quarterscores: 34-14, 58-41, 92-76, 117-97.
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