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The NLEX Road Warriors scored their biggest win of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup by handing TNT Tropang Giga their first loss, 109-98, on Thursday at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena.
Kevin Alas came back from a nose injury at halftime to put on a show in the final two quarters, finishing with 24 points, six rebounds and three steals. Jericho Cruz found his range to provide 19 points on shots of 7 of 10, including five triples.
NLEX had a nine-point lead with two and a half minutes to go after a long bomb from Cruz. Tropang Giga tried to come back, scoring two consecutive steals in a matter of seconds, reducing the deficit to just five. Fortunately for the Road Warriors, Kiefer Ravena made a triple with the dagger with 50 seconds remaining.
“I think this is what I have been most proud of since we were in the bubble,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao. “We did a good job on defense. TNT has been playing really well the last three weeks, we’re in the bubble. It sure would be a bad night for them, we just caught them on their bad night. We were lucky.”
Guiao went on to point out that TNT’s offside game coincided with their team’s best performance on the defensive end that led them to victory.
Jayson Castro had a great game on his return to action after a calf injury, shooting 27 points and adding eight assists and five rebounds. Castro was fired by Tropang Giga, losing 18 points in his first seven minutes. TNT, however, missed the regular productions of Roger Pogoy and Ray Parks. Pogoy had 16 points, which was less than his 24.2 average, while Parks’ 15 points were also a far cry from his 23.00 points per game.
It was a very physical affair, highlighted by two altercations.
The first occurred in the third period when Will McAloney hit a Ray Parks out of the air. The parks fell hard on the hardwood, causing tensions to rise in both squads. McAloney was slapped with a flagrant penalty foul, while Jay Washington and Coach Guiao each received a technique for verbal altercation. The second occurred in the last 20 seconds when Ray Parks and JR Quiñahan fought, both were slapped for a flagrant foul.
“From our side, we are just trying to improve. In each game, we are just trying to improve, trying to improve in practice,” Guiao said. “I hope it is not too late, I hope it is not too late. We will try to win as many games as we can and improve every day.”
NLEX posted their second win in seven starts, while TNT posted their first loss by a 5-1 scorecard.
THE SCORES
NLEX 109 – Alas 24, Cruz 19, Ravena 16, Miranda 8, Quinahan 8, Ayonayon 8, Semerad 7, Soyud 6, McAloney 6, Rod 5, Porter 2, Ighalo 0
TNT 82 – Castro 27, Pogoy 16, Parks 15, Rosario 11, Enciso 11, Reyes 7, Erram 9, De Leon 2, Semerad 0, Washington 0
Quarters: 24-32, 53-48, 75-67, 109-98
ADDITIONAL JARS
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NLEX won the rebounding battle decisively, 56-40, and points in the paint, 60-46.
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Alas’s face collided with Castro’s shoulder just before the halftime break, leaving the NLEX sprawled on the hardwood. After no fractures were found, he finally returned at the end of the third period.
NEXT GAMES
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TNT vs. Meralco Bolts, 4:00 p.m. on October 31.
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NLEX vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 4:00 pm on November 2.
