Road Warriors survive Dyip in thriller

MANILA, Philippines -- The NLEX Road Warriors held off a blistering fourth quarter run by the Terrafirma Dyip to escape with a 101-100 squeaker in their PBA Governor’s Cup matchup Sunday evening at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

NLEX led by 23 points heading to the fourth quarter but managed to score just 11 points in the final frame as the Dyip stormed back. 

But a last second 3-pointer by Justin Strings rimmed off as time expired, giving the Road Warriors the win. 

DeQuan Jones stood tall for NLEX with 30 points, to go with seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Schonny Winston added 13 markers, six dimes and five boards in the victory. 

A late triple in the third quarter by Anthony Semerad gave NLEX a 90-67 advantage heading to the final period. 

A 19-4 run capped by a triple by CJ Catapusan sliced the deficit to just eight with 6:25 remaining, before Xyrus Torres answered back with a 3-pointer of his own to snap the run, 97-86. 

But the rally did not stop there. 

With NLEX leading by 10, 91-101, after a 4-pointer by Robert Bolick, nine straight points by Terrafirma punctuated by a Strings pull-up jumper made it a 100-101 deficit with 42.7 seconds left. 

Torres was able to get his own miss on the other end, and it led to a 4-point attempt by Bolick. It missed, and as Juami Tiongson brought the rock down the court, he faked and dished the ball out to Strings, who was waiting on the wings. 

He had a clean look as time was winding down, but his game-winning attempt rimmed out. 

Bolick added 12 points for NLEX while Kevin Alas had nine. 

Mav Ahanmisi and Tiongson powered Terrafirma with 19 points each. Strings had a double-double of 18 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. 

The Dyip dropped to 1-1, while the Road Warriors rose to 2-0 for solo first in Group A.