NLEX thumps RoS, gains 3rd win in row

MANILA, Philippines -  Aaron Fuller played to his fullest as he towed the once-lowly NLEX squad to a compelling 122-114 victory over Rain Or Shine in double overtime for a franchise record third straight win in the PBA Governors Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Fuller delivered a personal PBA high of 33 points while Kevin Alas put in a career best 24 markers as the Road Warriors beat out the Elasto Painters in a tough grind marked by 21 lead changes and 17 deadlocks for a third straight win in the tourney and fifth in a row from the last conference.

JR Quiñahan, Larry Fonacier and Carlo Lastimosa contributed at least 10 points each for the Road Warriors who posted a first-ever 3-0 conference start in franchise history.

The Road Warriors, a team with the worst cumulative record of 4-18 in the first two conferences, made it five in a row (also a franchise mark) and 5-1 overall since their acquisition of Quiñahan, Fonacier and Alex Mallari in a key trade deal.

They scored a third straight win following a 112-104 upset of Alaska Milk and 100-93 drubbing of Kia, and dealt the E-Painters a first loss after a triumphant conference debut against GlobalPort (98-96).

“The chemistry is getting better, the import is fitting in and the rest of the team is contributing. And it feels good to win games this time,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.

“It’s still a learning process for us, but to beat Rain or Shine is a testament to the progress we’ve made,” Guiao added.

Murphey Holloway came through with 29 points and 26 rebounds in an impressive PBA debut and helped GlobalPort to a 100-91 win over Phoenix Petroleum in the nightcap.