Harris hot debut fuels NLEX drive

MANILA, Philippines – Fancied import Manny Harris hit the ground running for NLEX, firing 45 big points as he powered the Road Warriors to a 117-111 victory over Columbian Dyip and into solo second in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Later, Blackwater got a huge lift from the returning Marqus Blakely and Mac Belo to turn back all-Filipino finalist Magnolia , 95-89, and go 2-3. The Hotshots, who played without the injured Romeo Travis (ankle), slipped to back-to-back losses for 3-3.

Harris, the former NBA player tapped to replace Olu Ashaolu, unleashed a monster scoring effort capped off by a clutch three-point play that secured a 112-106 cushion, and spiked his statline with five rebounds, four assists, three blocks and three steals to lead NLEX to a 5-1 mark.

His flying debut was complemented by the steady performances of JR Quinahan and Kiefer Ravena, particularly in the endgame where coach Yeng Guiao’s squad had to regroup in the face of the Dyip’s stirring fightback from 15 points down.

Quinahan, who finished with 15 markers, knocked down three crucial free throws to break a 106-106 standoff, and Ravena, who had 11 markers, eight assists, five caroms and two steals, made a clutch defensive play against CJ Perez that allowed NLEX to plot its next offensive finished off by Harris’ and-1 play.

Perez (21), Jackson Corpuz (20) and Khapri Alston (19-17) shared the offensive burden for the Dyip, who dropped to 3-3.

With Harris providing the spark, the Road Warriors took off to a fiery start and seized an early 16-2 margin.