NLEX snapped out of a four-game slide and stoked its drive for a quarterfinals seat by dealing Phoenix Super LPG a 104-79 beatdown Friday in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
DeQuan Jones scored a game-high 27 points while Robert Bolick notched 19 on top of nine dimes as spearhead of the Road Warriors' sustained attack that gained full steam as the game wore on.
Even the likes of Baser Amer, Enoch Valdez and Jonnel Policarpio chipped in their ample share in helping the Road Warriors post as much as a 94-61 lead, before veritably cruising in the final 6:31 of the game.
In the end, NLEX improved to a 4-5 record that yanked it out of a tie with Blackwater at fourth in Group B. Another win against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday and coach Jong Uichico's team would make it through to the next round.
A monkey wrench would be thrown on NLEX's plans should the Road Warriors lose to the Kings and the Bossing prevail against both the San Miguel Beermen Saturday and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Monday.
Sponsored content: At the moment, his side rising to the occasion and now having a good chance of making it through outright are enough for Uichico.
"Hindi pa naman kami automatic na papasok, siyempre depende din sa Blackwater. Pero they realized the importance of this game," said Uichico.
"Hindi naman namin p'wedeng ma-discount 'yung fact na they still have a shot at getting to the quarterfinals if they win both games," added Uichico. "Kami... we did our job today and then we'll try to do our job also on Sunday."
Phoenix officially ended its campaign with a 1-9 slate with its latest loss helped along by import Brandone Francis hardly doing anything at a time when the Fuel Masters needed him.
Francis was taken out of the game with still 4:01 left in the second quarter and remained there for the rest of the game, winding up with just four points on a 2-of-7 clip from the field along with three rebounds, two assists and three turnovers.
Sponsored content: Sean Manganti's 13 points were enough to pace Phoenix, which visibly struggled after taking an early 11-6 lead, eventually fading in the face of NLEX's fiery onslaught.
"Four straight na talo kami so ito 'yung chance na makuha panalo," said Amer, whose 14 points led NLEX's 47-35 advantage in bench points that went well with its plus-12 lead in starters' points.
"So 'yun nga, 'yung pride and character lumabas kanina," added Amer. (NC)
