NLEX completed a night of fightbacks Friday at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Center.
Magnolia struck back at Rain or Shine earlier, then the Road Warriors scored revenge versus the TNT Tropang Giga, pulling off a 93-90 decision and making it a similar 1-1 standoff in the two quarterfinals series pitting the top seeds and the fourth seeds.
DeQuan Jones delivered a second straight 38-point game highlighted by big plays down the stretch as the Road Warriors avenged their 102-107 defeat in the opener of the race-to-three contest.
Action moves over to Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Sunday with the protagonists in both series fighting for the critical 2-1 lead.
Robert Bolick, held to 10 points the last time, put in 16 this time, including a crucial three-point play that shattered an 87-all count entering the last two minutes of the game.
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Coach Jong Uichico's crew held on to it and forced the series deadlock in outsmarting and outplaying the Tropang Giga in the last stretch.
The Tropang Giga had their chances, but errors and missed free throws stymied their bid.
It was a close match where no team was able to post a double-digit spread.
A big key was Jones with his 12-of-26 field clip and 11 of 12 charities that went with 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block against five turnovers.
He outperformed this time Rondae Hollis-Jefferson who's good for only 22 points although he also grabbed 22 rebounds.
In Game One, RHJ had 45 as against Jones' 38.
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The Scores :
NLEX 93 - Jones 38, Bolick 16, Herndon 8, Amer 6, Valdez 5, Rodger 4, Policarpio 4, Anthony 4, Nermal 3, Mocon 3, Miranda 2, Semerad 0, Nieto 0, Torres 0
TNT 90 - Hollis-Jefferson 22, Castro 19, Pogoy 19, Nambatac 11, Oftana 9, Aurin 6, Khobuntin 2, Williams 2, Galinato 0, Heruela 0, Reyes 0, Erram
QUARTERS : 24-21, 40-40, 69-64, 93-90
