NLEX lost hold of a 23-point lead but regained its footing at the finish to join Rain or Shine atop Group B in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup
If there is one thing Phoenix proved in its first two games in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup, it’s that it could come back from a double-digit deficit.
But the Fuel Masters could not deliver the finishing blows as NLEX regained its footing to hammer out a 100-95 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Aug. 25.
The Road Warriors squandered a 23-point second quarter advantage but recovered in the homestretch to join Rain or Shine atop the Group B leaderboard with their identical 2-0 slates.
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The Fuel Masters, who also cut a 13-point deficit before bowing to San Miguel in their opener, dropped to 0-2.
Import Myke Henry led NLEX’s early onslaught, dropping 21 of his 37 points in the first half where the Road Warriors took the commanding lead.
He also had nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and a block.
Anthony Semerad had 13 points, while Robert Bolick, who logged a near triple-double in NLEX's first match against Blackwater, finished with 11 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
“If there’s anything good that happened in this game, it's overcoming the adversity, not giving up and still maintaining our discipline and composure in the last minutes of the game. I can't say the same when they caught up and got the lead,” said NLEX coach Jong Uichico.
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Like a phoenix rising from its ashes, the Fuel Masters suddenly came alive late behind RR Garcia, who finished with 18 markers.
A former UAAP MVP with FEU, Garcia dropped 14 points, including two four-pointers, to turn the catch-up game into a see-saw battle.
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A furious 13-2 rally in the fourth period allowed Phoenix to gain the lead for the first time, 85-84, on Jayvee Mocon’s tough basket in transition with still 6:39 remaining.
Garcia would score his final basket inside the final minute for the Fuel Masters to stay within striking distance before Henry shot a triple that proved to be the dagger with 19.5 ticks remaining, 99-95.
“We had almost the same scenario in the last game, but we were able to weather the storm earlier. Now, we weathered the storm a little bit and they got the lead,” said Uichico.
“We still maintained, I think, our composure. But during that stretch, we lost our composure, we lost everything, and they pounced on that," he added.
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Phoenix import Jayveous McKinnis had a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Jason Perkins and Mocon added 13 and 12 points, respectively, and combined for 12 boards.
The Scores:
NLEX 100 — Henry 37, Semerad 13, Bolick 11, Fajardo 10, Herndon 9, Rodger 8, Amer 6, Marcelo 2, Valdez 2, Policarpio 2.
PHOENIX 95 — Garcia 18, McKinnis 15, Perkins 13, Mocon 12, Tio 10, Ballungay 8, Alejandro 5, Verano 5, Tuffin 3, Jazul 2, Muyang 2, Daves 2, Salado 0, Rivero 0.
Quarterscores: 25-16, 53-30, 76-67, 100-95