Guiao steers NLEX past former team
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Kevin Alas came through with the big plays when needed as NLEX continued its amazing run of form by finally giving coach Yeng Guiao his first victory over former team Rain or Shine, 122-114, in double overtime last night in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alas sent the game into a second overtime at 110-all when he scored on a one-handed shot with 2.2 seconds left in the first extra period, making up for a near-costly mistake of fouling Chris Tiu with the Road Warriors in penalty during a jumpball situation.
The former Letran star then put NLEX ahead for good, 113-112, with 2:54 remaining in the second overtime.
“I called him out after committing that stupid foul (on Tiu), but he made up for it on that next play,” Guiao said of Alas. “He's a young player with maturity and consistency so far, I hope I don't jinx him.”
NLEX has never started a conference 3-0 since its pro entry in 2014 until last night after extending its winning run to five games dating back late in the Commissioner's Cup, making the team Guiao had led to two champion- ships its latest victim.
Guiao later described beating Rain or Shine after three tries as an “awkward feeling.”
“I haven't gotten over that, 100 percent. I still feel that it's my team, they're my boys,” Guiao admitted. “But as I've said, magkakalaban na kami ngayon and I have to get used to that.”
NLEX 122 – Fuller 33, Alas 24, Quinahan 13, Fonacier 11, Lastimosa 10, Mallari 9, Tiongson 6, Villanueva J. 5, Taulava 4, Soyud 3, AlHussaini 2, Ighalo 2, Rios 0, Monfort 0.
Weatherspoon 20, Belga 15, Yap 14, Ahanmisi 13, Chan 12, Almazan 10, Cruz 10, Norwood 10, Tiu 9, King 1, Ponferada 0.
Quarters: 26-27; 59-55; 84-81; 101-101 (Reg); 110-110 (1OT); 122-114 (2OT).