By Jay R. Gotera
MANILA — The NLEX Road Warriors escaped with a thrilling 99-97 overtime win over the undermanned Alaska Aces in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday night, giving new NLEX coach Yeng Guiao (formerly with Rain or Shine) his first victory with his new team.
The Aces could have forged a second overtime, but they missed four straight shots under the basket in the final seconds of the overtime period.
After new NLEX acquisition Carlo Lastimosa (formerly from Blackwater) split his free throws in the final 10.2 seconds of the overtime period that gave the Road Warriors a two-point lead, Alaska’s RJ Jazul, Jaypee Mendoza, and Dondon Hontiveros failed to hit their shots at point-blank range one after the other, allowing the Road Warriors to score their first “W” of the new season.
The regulation period ended with the score tied at 88-all after Bradwyn Guinto scored off Alaska’s Vic Manuel who fouled out after committing his sixth and final personal foul. Guinto missed the bonus free throw that could have won the game outright for NLEX.
Sean Anthony led the Road Warriors with 21 points and 14 rebounds while Guinto also had a double-double 17 markers and 10 rebounds.
Jonas Villanueva added 16 points and a team-high five assists while Lastimosa posted 15 markers off the bench.
The Aces played minus their star forward Calvin Abueva and veteran center Sonny Thoss, who were still recuperating from fatigue dating back to the last season.
New acquisition Carl Bryan Cruz from the new Gilas squad led the Aces with 20 points and 14 rebounds in his first PBA game. Manuel added 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting. Both Cruz and Manuel fouled out in regulation.
GlobalPort 97, Mahindra 75
The GlobalPort Batang Pier began their Philippine Cup campaign with a bang, crushing the listless Mahindra Floodbusters, 97-75.
Terrence Romeo was his usual explosive self, leading all scorers with 29 points and six assists. Stanley Pringle, the other half of GlobalPort’s explosive backcourt duo, added 16 markers, eight rebounds and five assists.
Romeo and Pringle combined to shoot 16-for-23 for a sizzling 69.5-percent clip from the field, including six three-pointers.
Two of GlobalPort’s seven new acquisitions added even more firepower and depth, with JR Quinahan (formerly from Rain or Shine) posting 10 points, and KG Canaleta (formerly from Mahindra) dishing out nine markers and 11 rebounds.
GlobalPort shot 40-percent from beyond the arc, making a total of 12 threes.
The Batang Pier led by as much as 27 points, 61-34, midway in the third quarter before coasting to victory.
Mahindra was led by new acquisition Alex Mallari (formerly of Star) who scored 17 points. The Floodbusters were a far cry from the team that upset a number of top-caliber teams and reached the playoffs in the last conference. With only three players left from that squad, Mahindra badly missed the firepower of its former top gunners Aldrech Ramos (traded to Star), Bradwyn Guinto (traded to NLEX) and Canaleta.
Games Sunday: Meralco Bolts (0-0) vs. Blackwater Elite (1-0) and Barangay Ginebra Kings (0-0) vs. TNT KaTropa Texters (0-1).
