Jimmy Alapag outdueled his former mentor Chot Reyes on the sidelines as NLEX staved off TNT, 88-83, preserving an unblemished record to conclude its first-round campaign in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Breaking open a 74-all deadlock in the final period, the Road Warriors launched a decisive 11-4 run to build an 85-78 cushion. NLEX then anchored down on defense in the closing moments to secure the victory and maintain its perfect run. With the win, NLEX swept the first round of the elimination phase with a 6-0 record to firmly cement its hold on the top spot in Group A.
DeQuan Jones powered the Road Warriors with 27 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. LJ Gonzales contributed 11 points, while Robert Bolick added a well-rounded stat line of 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Facing the franchise where he spent the majority of his 13-year PBA playing career, Alapag halted TNT’s two-game winning streak. Despite missing key players Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Jordan Heading, and RR Pogoy, the depleted Tropang 5G remained competitive throughout the contest.
Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson paced TNT with 22 points, while Rey Nambatac, Glenn Khobuntin, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser each scored 13 points as TNT slipped to a 3-3 record.