NLEX posted a record-breaking 138-78 win over undermanned Macau to clinch a quarterfinal berth in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Road Warriors easily claimed their eighth win in 10 outings against a Giant Pandas squad that showed up with only nine players in the pro league's restart after a 53-day break.
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The 60-point difference surpassed the previous league record for biggest winning margin of 56 which Rain or Shine set when it defeated Blackwater, 151-95, last March 31 during a Commissioner’s Cup game.
Macau will finish the season without locals Damian Chongqui, Jenning Leung, and Ramon Cao after they signed with teams in the EASL.
With the result of the game already settled early, NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag stretched his rotation with Schonny Winston topscoring for the Road Warriors with 25 points on a 10-of-13 clip from the field.
Deonte Burton marked his PBA debut as replacement for the injured DeQuan Jones with all-around numbers of 22 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, six steals, and two blocks.
NLEX was just as dominant as in its first game against Macau at the start of the conference last July 10 where the Road Warriors beat the Giant Pandas, 114-75.
“Anytime you come off a 52-day break, especially tonight with Macau, I felt going into the game, very similar to the first time we played them. Our first game of the season, we didn’t know what their line-up was, panay bago mga players nila," said Alapag.
“My message to the guys is we know what we are preparing for. We have two games left before the quarterfinals. Obviously, in the other group, it can be anybody at this point. I want our guys to have a mindset and focus on what we have ahead of us.”
Oscar Lopez, who replaced DeVondre Perry as Macau’s import, and Kobey Lam played all 48 minutes in the contest. Lopez had 36 points and 13 rebounds, while Lam added 22 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
The scores:
NLEX 138 – Winston 25, Burton 22, Bolick 14, Alas 10, Gonzales 10, Semerad 10, Torres 9, Marcelo 7, Nieto 6, Herndon 6, Bahio 6, Racal 5, Valdez 5, Gamboa 3, Rodger 0, Capulong 0.
Macau 78 – Lopez 36, Lam 22, Chao 8, Liu 5, Lao 3, Chen 2, Zhang 2, Lu 0, Zu 0.
Quarters: 38-23; 70-43; 105-61; 138-78.
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