The NLEX Road Warriors narrowly escaped with a thrilling 101-100 victory over the Terrafirma Dyip on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Montalban, securing their second straight win in Group A of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
The nail-biting win keeps the Road Warriors undefeated under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Jimmy Alapag.
Foreign reinforcement DeQuan Jones spearheaded the NLEX attack, delivering an impressive all-around stat line of 30 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. However, the Road Warriors nearly collapsed in the final period, squandering a massive 23-point advantage as the Dyip outscored them 33-11.
NLEX breathed a sigh of relief only after Terrafirma’s Justin Strings missed a potential game-winning jumper as time expired.
”Credit to Terrafirma, making the adjustments to slow down our pace,” Jones said following the intense finish. “We need to do a better job of executing late down the stretch and not getting comfortable with our lead.”
Providing support for Jones, Schonny Winston tallied 13 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while Robert Bolick chipped in 12 points alongside seven assists. The heartbreaking result handed Terrafirma its first defeat of the tournament.
Mav Ahanmisi and Juami Tiongson spearheaded the Dyip’s furious fourth-quarter rally, finishing with 19 markers apiece.
Strings registered a double-double consisting of 18 points and 13 boards, while CJ Catapusan ignited the late-game run by draining three pivotal long-range bombs in the payoff period.
The Scores:
NLEX 101 – Jones 30, Winston 13, Bolick 12, Alas 9, Bahio 8, Semerad 8, Gonzales 5, Valdez 4, Herndon 4, Torres 3, Rodger 3, Capulong 2, Ramirez 0, Gamboa 0, Nieto 0.
TERRAFIRMA 100 – Ahanmisi 19, Tiongson 19, Strings 18, Bravo 9, Catapusan 9, Eriobu 7, Paraiso 6, Hanapi 6, Chiu 5, Umali 2, Mariano 0, Zaldivar 0.
Quarterscores: 32-29, 65-48, 90-67, 101-100.