Sports

NLEX extends Alaska’s woes

July 21, 2017

JAY R. GOTERA

MANILA — The NLEX Road Warriors brought down the Alaska Aces, 112-104 in the nightcap of a twinbill as the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup unfurled Wednesday night.

NLEX appeared a far cry from the team that lost consecutive games before winning its last two games in the last Commissioner’s Cup. With their new acquisitions and a dominant import in Aaron Fuller, the Road Warriors showed strength and cohesion, dealing the still hard-luck Aces another bitter defeat—their ninth straight loss dating back to the last conference.

The win was also NLEX third victory against Alaska in as many games this season.

Fuller led the Road Warriors with 30 points, 20 boards, three blocks, and three steals, while Kevin Alas led the locals with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists coming off the bench. Juami Tiongson added 13 points and 5 boards.

Comebacking import LaDontae Henton led Alaska with 27 points and 9 rebounds. Simon Enciso added 21 markers while Calvin finished with 12 points and 14 boards.

Phoenix 118, Kia 105

The Phoenix Fuel Masters showed a lot of firepower as they blasted the Kia Picanto, 118-105 in the first game of this season’s Governors’ Cup.

Barely missing the services of its top gunner Matthew Wright, who is in Taipei representing Gilas Pilipinas in the ongoing Jones Cup, the Fuel Masters came off with all guns ablaze to dominate Kia, a team that has once again changed its brand name from Floodbuster to Picanto but has little else to show in its underwhelming roster.

Sharp-shooting import Eugene Phelps is back with Phoenix, blasting away with 33 points and 14 boards.

RJ Jazul added 20 points, nine of them in the final quarter, including a three-pointer that gave Phoenix a 14-point lead halfway through the period.

JC Intal also lit up the boards with 19 points, seven boards, three assists, and one block in 28 minutes. Joseph Eriobu and Cyrus Baguio added 12 and 11 markers, respectively.

Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia didn’t even bother to field Phelps in the last minutes of the game as the Fuel Masters were in full control of the game.

Import Markeith Cummings led the Picanto with 31 points and 10 boards, while Bong Galanza added 15 markers in 26 minutes off the bench.

Games Friday: Meralco Bolts vs. Blackwater Elite and GlobalPort Batang Pier vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.


July 21, 2017
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