NLEX ends string of 13 bitter losses
Games Tomorrow (Alonte Sports Arena, Biñan) 4:15 p.m. – Globalport vs Rain or Shine 7 p.m. – Ginebra vs Blackwater
The long agony of the NLEX Road Warriors finally came to an end last night after displaying grit and guts despite being forced to play with an all-local lineup in the last five minutes to extend the woes of the free-falling Alaska Aces, 100-92, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NLEX lost import Wayne Chism after committing his sixth-and-final foul with 5:20 remaining and leading 86-82, but displayed the brand of basketball typically seen in a Yeng Guiao-coached team to barge into the win column after 10 games in the midseason conference while snapping a 13-game losing skid dating back to the Philippine Cup.
Late in the evening, the Star Hotshots short-circuited the Meralco Bolts, 108-90, and assumed solo leadership with their eighth win in 10 games. The Bolts fell to 7-3 and a share of fourth spot with TNT KaTropa behind Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer at 6-2 win-loss.
Ricardo Ratliffe led Star with 32 points on 11 of 17 from the floor with 13 rebounds. The Bolts were out of it almost immediately, suffering an early power shortage and trailing 27-15 after the first quarter.
A three-pointer by Kevin Alas with 3:25 left put the Road Warriors ahead 8987, then witnessed the Aces miss their next four shots that allowed the former to break away and post their first victory since Jan. 7 when it beat TNT KaTropa, 110-98, in a Philippine Cup provincial game in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Though Chism, who topscored with 22 points while grabbing six rebounds, led the celebration on the bench, Guiao acted as if it was another win after equaling the longest losing run of his coaching career which he first set in 1995 for Pepsi Mega.
“We tried to just prove to ourselves that...two weeks ago, we made some painful, hard decisions and gusto namin i-validate na at least tama yung mga ginawa namin,” said Guiao, referring to a pair of trades that led to the acquisitions of old reliable JR Quiñahan and Alex Mallari.
What made the win even sweeter for the Road Warriors was the way they rallied from a 35-15 deficit late in the second quarter. With Chism and Quiñahan combining for 18 points, NLEX outscored Alaska, 33-13 in that period, ending on an Emman Monfort triple that gave the Road Warriors a 51-48 halftime lead.
Chism 22, Quiñahan 16, Tiongson 16, Alas 11, Al-Hussaini 9, Mallari 7, Monfort 6, Soyud 5, Rios 4, Baracael 2, Lastimosa 2, Taulava 0, Ighalo 0.
Jefferson 36, Manuel 17, Abueva 12, Casio 10, Racal 5, Banchero 3, Enciso 2, Exciminiano 2, Mendoza 2, Thoss 2, Pascual 1, Cruz 0, Galliguez 0, Hontiveros 0.
Quarters: 18-35; 51-48; 76-75; 100-92.