ANTIPOLO -- Jericho Cruz came all the way from beyond the arc, hustling to score the winning putback as the NLEX Road Warriors completed a mind-boggling win from 26 points down to guarantee themselves of a twice-to-beat incentive in the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals.
Mike Harris and JR Quinahan had their wondrous efforts as the Road Warriors broke the Hotshots' heart with an 86-85 victory that firmed up their hold of top spot in the elims play at 8-1.
Harris went scoreless in the opening period, sat out the entire second quarter then exploded for 22 points in second half while Quinahan contributed with 14 markers and eight boards as the two led NLEX's big final-half fightback.
The Road Warriors pummeled the Hotshots, 28-20, in the third period and, 29-14, in the final canto as NLEX stalled Magnolia at sixth place at 5-5.
Going into the game, the Hotshots were on a two-game roll and looking to get going in a bid to close in on joint fourth placers San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra at 6-3.
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They came out strong, completely dominating the Road Warriors to take the first half at 51-29.
Magnolia tore NLEX apart, 36-19, in first period with Harris effectively held scoreless.
The Road Warriors, however, were not disheartened, slowly getting into the contest and eventually stealing the game on Cruz's gutsy play at endgame.
Cruz made the follow-up after a split from the line by Kiefer Ravena.
"We had a really bad start but the guys made up for it," said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.
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"I almost gave up in the first half, thinking maybe a loss would be good for us, let us know we're not that good yet. But the boys simply refused to lose," Guiao added.
The Road Warriors came to within 10 late in the third, pulled even at 76 on a three-pointer by Harris and pulled ahead on a trey by Cruz.
And that set the stage for the thrilling finish of what had earlier been a lopsided match.
It had appeared the Hotshots would salvage the game when they regained the upperhand at 85-83 on a five-point binge by Paul Lee.
But the Road Warriors just won't go away. (SB)
The scores:
NLEX 86 - Harris 22, Quinahan 14, Cruz 13, Erram 7, Ravena 7, Galanza 6, Paniamogan 5, Soyud 4, Ighalo 4, Miranda 4, Baguio 0, Fonacier 0.
Magnolia 85 - Lee 24, Sangalang 19, Travis 13, Barroca 10, Banchero 7, Pingris 5, Melton 4, Abundo 3, Reavis 0, Dela Rosa 0.
Quarterscores: 16-39, 29-51, 57-71, 86-85.
