NLEX ends slump, outlasts Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines — Desperate for a win, NLEX earned one at the expense of crowd darling Barangay Ginebra, 81-78, in a hard-fought match at the Cuneta Astrodome on Saturday night.

Behind veteran Cyrus Baguio, the Road Warriors erased a 14-point third quarter deficit. He scored NLEX’s first 11 points in the fourth frame to bring his squad back into the game.

Larry Fonacier and JR Quiñahan then picked up the scoring cudgels. Winless this year, the Road Warriors never looked back when they regained the lead, 79-77, with less than two minutes left in the tussle.

"I really don’t know how we won the game so please nobody ask me how we won the game,” NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao said.

"We just put on an effort and sheer determination and [had] some breaks in the endgame,” he added. "The important thing for us is we break our losing streak and we give ourselves a chance to be in the fight.”

Prized rookie Kiefer Ravena only had seven in the clash but he made the final free throw to seal the deal for NLEX.

The win grants the Road Warriors a 3-4 record in the all-Filipino conference. The Gin Kings now also have an identical card.

"Mabuti na lang it’s a defensive game 'no? I think the scores are below 80s. It’s been a valiant game, it’s turning out to be very physical. We had to mentally adjust to that kind of game. We’re just happy that we were able to do that in this game,” Guiao closed.

The Road Warriors face the ailing Meralco Bolts on Friday next week at the same venue. Barangay Ginebra will try to regain its bearings versus conference whipping boys Kia the Wednesday before.

The Scores:

NLEX (81): Fonacier 18, Quinahan 14, Baguio 13, Mallari 11, Ravena 7, Taulava 5, Tiongson 4, Alas 4, Miranda 2, Soyud 2, Ighalo 2, Uyloan 0, Gotladera 0

Ginebra (78): J. Aguilar 21, Tenorio 12, R. Aguilar 9, Slaughter 9, Thompson 8, Cruz 8, Ferrer 6, Mercado 5, Taha 0, Caguioa 0

Quarter scores: 19-20, 35-43, 55-59, 81-78