NLEX shocks Alaska Aces, 100-92
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.
A three-pointer by Kevin Alas with 3:25 left put the Road Warriors ahead 89-87, 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 Quinahan and Alex Mallari.
Quinahan had 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in his second game since moving from GlobalPort in a four-team trade while Mallari chipped in seven points, including three down the stretch from the foul line.
Juami Tiongson, who has become Guiao’s most-trusted playmaker after being signed from AMA Online Education of the PBA DLeague several months ago, added 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
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 Quinahan 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.
A seesaw battle ensued until Chism fouled out after being whistled twice in a span of 19 seconds while holding an 86-82 lead. Alaska eventually gained an 87-86 on a layup by Simon Enciso, 3:50 to play, before Alas’ triple triggered NLEX’s run in the homestretch. Scores:
NLEX 100 – Chism 22, Tiongson 16, Quinahan 16, Alas 11, Al-Hussaini 9, Mallari 7, Monfort 6, Soyud 5, Rios 4, Lastimosa 2, Baracael 2, Ighalo 0, Taulava 0.
ALASKA 92 – Jefferson 36, Manuel 17, Abueva 12, Casio 10, Racal 5, Banchero 3, Thoss 2, Enciso 2, Exciminiano 2, Mendoza 2, Pascual 1, Cruz 0, Galliguez 0, Hontiveros 0.
Quarterscores: 18-35, 51-48, 76-75, 100-92.