MANILA – Cameron Clark scored a go-ahead basket as NLEX Road Warriors defeated Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 86-85, in Game 3 of the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With the score tied at 83-all, Clark intercepted a pass by Kings guard LA Tenorio to score a three-point play. This gave the Road Warriors’ an 86-83 lead with seven seconds left.
The Kings still had a chance to send the match into overtime with a three-pointer but Tenorio instead went for a layup with a second remaining for 86-85 score with a second left.
Clark finished the match with double-double 21 points and 17 rebounds. Kevin Alas chipped in 15 markers as the Road Warriors trimmed the best-of-five semis series to 1-2.
Negrense centers Justin Chua and Raul Soyud also stepped up with 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Philip Paniamogan drilled nine points, all during NLEX’s third quarter rally.
“I just told our players to save ourselves from the embarrassment of being swept by Ginebra,” said Road Warriors head coach Yeng Guiao. “Now, that we were able to won a game, we will try to prolong the series.”
Justin Brownlee led the way with 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Christian Standhardinger chipped in 16 points and 16 rebounds for the defending champion Kings.
Meralco Bolts surged ahead in their best-of-five semifinals series with Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots with a 101-95 Game 3 triumph in the first game.
Chris Banchero and Allein Maliksi anchored a huge 10-0 scoring blast for the Bolts in the fourth quarter to turn their slim advantage to a 95-87 lead with over a minute left.
The Hotshots had its last ditch effort to kept the match close at 95-99 behind Jiovani Jalalon and Mike Harris but Kier John Quinto drained two free throws to seal the win for the Bolts.
Tony Bishop led the way with double-double 27 points and 10 rebounds, Bachero and Chris Newsome added 23 and 16 markers, respectively, as the Bolts surged to a 2-1 edge in the series.
BOX SCORE:
NLEX 86 – Clark 21, Alas 15, Chua 13, Soyud 11, Paniamogan 9, Rosales 7, Miranda 4, Trollano 4, Semerad 2, Nieto 0.
GINEBRA 85 – Brownlee 27, Standhardinger 16, Thompson 13, Tenorio 10, Tolentino 9, Devance 6, Caperal 2, Chan 2, Pinto 0.
Quarterscores: 16-19, 36-44, 59-62, 86-85/PN
