NLEX gave its sagging PBA quarterfinals bid a shot in the arm with a runaway 104-79 win over also-ran Phoenix in Friday night’s Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Import Dequan Jones, Robert Bolick, and Enoch Valdez presided over a killer first half for the Road Warriors, who raced to an early 13-point lead before padding it to 54-37 by halftime.
Phoenix could do nothing from there as NLEX turned up the heat to complete the demolition job, while also snapping a four-game losing skid.
READ: NLEX, Blackwater dispute final QFs spot in Group B
The Road Warriors improved to 4-5 overall as it moved ahead of idle Blackwater (3-5) in the heated race for the No. 4 and last playoff berth in Group B.
NLEX plays Barangay Ginebra next on Sunday for its final assignment in the group stage.
“We’ll just carry over what we did today and hopefully, come up with another win on Sunday,” said Road Warriors coach Jong Uichico.
The win by NLEX obviously put some a burden on Blackwater which faces San Miguel on Saturday.
“Yes, it puts pressure on Blackwater, but alam naman natin that they are capable. Maganda yung lineup nila and they’re capable of winning,” said Uichico of the Bossing.
Jones led the Road Warriors with 27 points, 16 of them coming in the first half where he was also a perfect 2-of-2 from the four-point arc.
Bolick had an all-around game of 19 points, nine assists, and five rebounds, while Baser Amer added 14 and Valdez had 10.
Sean Manganti top-scored with 13 points, as Tyler Tio had 12 and Jason Perkins had 11 for Phoenix, which ended its campaign with a 1-9 record.
The Fuel Masters’ slate, incidentally, was their worst since taking over the Barako Bull franchise in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
The team’s previous worst record was at 2-9 under former coach Ariel Vanguardia in the 2016 Governors’ Cup.
The scores:
NLEX 104 - Jones 27, Bolick 19, Amer 14, Valdez 10, Policarpio 8, Nermal 8, Torres 5, Fajardo 4, Herndon 3, Mocon 2, Nieto 2, Semerad 2, Anthony 0, Miranda 0, Marcelo 0, Rodger 0.
PHOENIX 79 - Manganti 13, Tio 12, Perkins 11, Sotud 10, Rivero 7, Alejandro 7, Jazul 7, Francis 4, Muyang 3, Ballungay 3, Salado 2, Verano 0, Tuffin 0, Garcia 0, Daves 0, Ular 0.
Quarters: 30-17; 54-37; 83-55; 104-79.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
