Raul Soyud led NLEX’s 104-89 mauling of Alaska to notch their second win in the Phoenix Super Basketball Tourney Wednesday at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Pasig City.
The bruising big man finished with 22 points, including six straight in the opening frame where the Road Warriors zoomed to a 22-9 lead and never relinquished the driver’s seat since.
Soyud also scored seven in a 10-0 run that gave his side a 66-51 lead that restored order in the third quarter after the Aces trimmed their 19-point edge to just five, 56-51, with 6:41 on the clock.
Soyud shot 9-of-10 from the field and also hauled down eight rebounds in the convincing win, which serves as a good follow-up to their 103-97 conquest of the San Miguel Beermen last Monday.
“As I’ve said when we played San Miguel, these games are really a way to measure your progress in practice. We won two games so that’s a good sign for us,” said coach Yeng Guiao.
“But it does not guarantee that you’re going to play well in the conference. It’s one of the indications but it’s not the only indication,” added Guiao, who’s entering his fourth season with NLEX.
Kevin Alas has shown progress with regards to getting his form back as he produced 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Bong Galanza and rookie Will McAloney added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
“We have successes and improvements but we also have some setbacks. But overall we’re looking good,” Guiao said.
Guiao and the coaches managed the minutes of Kiefer Ravena in the win as their star guard has also been working with Gilas Pilipinas for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers on the weekend.
Poy Erram was in uniform for NLEX in the tuneup but wasn’t fielded in — Erram is waiting for the PBA’s decision on the proposed three-team trade that will see him land in TNT KaTropa.
“Of course we still consider him as part of the team until may final ano na run sa trade. But we’re just trying to relish our last few days together,” said Guiao on the vastly-improved big man.
Vic Manuel had 28 points and eight rebounds to lead Alaska, who won over Phoenix Pulse last Monday.
The Scores:
NLEX 104 — Soyud 22, Alas 18, Galanza 11, McAloney 10, Miranda 8, Paniamogan 8, Porter 5, Ighalo 5, Varilla 4, Ravena 4, Parades 4, Soberano 3, Lao 2.
Alaska 89 — Manuel 28, DiGregorio 15, Tratter 11, Brondial 6, Casio 6, Marcelino 5, Herndon 4, Ayaay 4, Ebona 4, Racal 3, Teng 2, Ahanmisi 1, Galliguez 0.
Quarterscores: 22-12, 49-35, 76-64, 104-89.
