NLEX remains spotless, outlasts TNT

Sports

NLEX continues to have a smooth-sailing campaign under new head coach Jimmy Alapag as the Road Warriors nipped the defending champions TNT Tropang 5G, 88-83, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Tuesday night, Aug. 4, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

NLEX led by as many as 17 points before quelling TNT’s endgame rally to post its sixth win in as many games for a first-round sweep in Group A.

The Road Warriors are still unbeaten under Alapag, who took over prior to the start of the conference. It was Alapag’s first meeting with TNT–his former team where he wound all of his six championships.

NLEX had to overcome a furious comeback by TNT, which knotted the match at 74-all in the final six minutes after being down by double digits early.

NLEX doused cold water on the rallying Tropa by responding with a 7-2 attack, capped by a booming triple by Anthony Semerad that gave the Road Warriors an 81-76 lead.

Dequan Jones spearheaded NLEX with 27 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. LJay Gonzales added 11 while Bolick contributed 10 markers in the win.

Rahlir Hollis-Jefferso wound up with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds in TNT’s third loss against the same number wins.

THE SCORES:

NLEX (88) - Jones 27, Gonzales 11, Bolick 10, Valdez 9, Winston 9, Bahio 9, Alas 5, Gamboa 4, Semerad 3, Racal 1, Nelle 0, Capulong 0.

TNT (83) - Hollis-Jefferson 22, Nambatac 13, Khobuntin 13, Rosser 13, Aurin 9, Enciso 6, Ferrer 3, Erram 2, Varilla 2, Jalalon 0, Quitevis 0.QUARTERSCORES: 26-18, 56-41, 70-65, 88-83.(CCM)