MYKE Henry was the steadying factor NLEX needed in the stretch to overcome gritty Phoenix Super LPG, 100-95, Sunday and grab a share of the Group B lead in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Henry scored six of his game-high 36 points in the final 2:24, putting the Road Warriors back firmly on top after the Fuel Masters came charging back from 23 points down at the half to even grab a 93-89 lead.
As if taking the cue from their import, Anthony Semerad and Robbie Herndon also came through with the former scoring on a tough reverse and the latter booming in a 3 that made it 99-95, still 19.5 ticks left.
Knowing Phoenix would go for a 4-pointer, NLEX played a stifling defense that forced Jayjay Alejandro to go for a desperate heave that fell short, and Henry made one of two free throws that iced it, only 7.5 seconds left.
Despite his team notching a second win in as many games to tie idle Rain or Shine on top of their bracket, coach Jong Uichico was far from totally pleased with the way his Road Warriors almost shot themselves in the foot again.
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"In the last game, we were able to weather the storm earlier," said Uichico, referring to the way his team almost blew a 27-point fourth quarter lead before coming out a 104-87 winner over Blackwater.
"Now we weathered the storm a little bit late and they got the lead. It's good we maintained our composure, I think. But during that third (quarter) we really lost our composure, we lost our defense. We lost everything and they pounced on that," added Uichico.
"Give credit to them (Fuel Masters), they were able to read what we were doing. But also give credit to us, we were able to overcome that type of adversity," Uichico also said. "If there's anything good that happened in today's game, it's overcoming that adversity and not giving up."
A large chunk of the credit goes to Henry, who already had 21 points after two quarters and was largely instrumental in NLEX's surge to a 44-21 lead.
"That's why they brought me here, to carry the offense when we need it," said Henry, who also had nine rebounds and five assists, while picking up the scoring slack from Robert Bolick, limited to just 11 points on top of seven rebounds and nine dimes.
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Uichico quickly pointed out that Bolick, the focal point of the Phoenix defense, was doing more of the other things than just scoring.
"He trusts his teammates to make the big plays if they're taking him out of the game," explained Uichico. "That's what we need in any team, to trust your teammates. Hindi iyung kapag walang nangyayari, 'akin na.'"
The loss was Phoenix's second in as many games, notwithstanding another gallant effort like in its narrow 107-111 loss to San Miguel Beer last Wednesday.
After going scoreless in the first half, RR Garcia led the fiery Fuel Masters charge with 18 points. Jayveous McKinnis finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Jason Perkins, Javee Mocon, and Tyler Tio each had at least 10 points. (NC)
