NLEX did what it couldn't in regulation to secure the last playoff spot in Group B in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup on Sunday, Sept. 22.
Anthony Semerad found his range in extra time, kickstarting NLEX's response with a pair of triples in the first two minutes to set the tone for the Road Warriors' quarterfinal-clinching 103-99 victory over Brgy. Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup.
Semerad made up for his botched jumper with 9.3 seconds left in regulation, unloading clutch treys to shove the Road Warriors ahead, 98-94.
While Semerad exited at the 1:26 mark on his sixth foul against Gin King Stephen Holt, DeQuan Jones has already stretched the separation to five, 101-96, as the reinforcement punctuated his 44-point eruption with a triple with 2:17 left to play.
NLEX hung tough to the finish to chalk up its fifth win against the same number of losses, sealing the fourth and last playoff slot in Group B and eliminating hopeful Blackwater in the process.
The Road Warriors actually led 92-85 with Jones scoring the team's last 13 points in regulation, but RJ Abarrientos and Justin Brownlee connived in 7-0 finisher in the final two minutes to force the overtime.
Brownlee tried to sustain his fiery form in the extra five minutes, starting with a quadruple attempt less than a minute in but flubbed it. Unfortunately, he exited at the 3:36 mark due to cramps.
Brownlee saw action for nearly 43 minutes before he was helped out of the court by his teammates.