MACAU – NLEX started off its campaign in the Asia League Super 8 2018 with a 94-68 bludgeoning of Formosa Dreamers on Tuesday at Macao East Asian Games Dome here.
Kenneth Ighalo and JR Quinahan teamed up to help the Road Warriors break away early, building a 26-14 first quarter lead which ballooned to 31, 58-27, at the half.
NLEX was just too strong for Formosa as the Filipino side dominated the boards, 61-44, and even erected a lead as high as 42, 84-42, midway through the payoff period.
Ighalo led the balanced attack for the Road Warriors with his 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Quinahan got 12 points, three boards, and three assists.
Raul Soyud also finished with 12 as everyone in the NLEX roster scored in the blowout.
After taking the early lead in Group A, the Road Warriors now shift their focus to Korean club ETLAND Elephants on Wednesday.
Kenny Chien paced the Taiwanese side with 18 points and two rebounds in the defeat.
The scores:
NLEX 94 – Ighalo 14, Quinahan 12, Soyud 12, Buenafe 9, Tiongson 9, Marcelo 8, Gotladera 7, Taulava 7, Baguio 6, Uyloan 5, Tallo 3, Monfort 2.
FORMOSA 68 – Chien 18, Yang 13, Barratt 12, Sung 11, Chieh 5, Wang 4, Chai 3, Chia 2, Chen 0, Hsueh 0, Zheng 0.
Quarters: 26-14, 58-27, 79-42, 94-68.
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