MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors averted disaster to escape with a 104-97 triumph over the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters in the Phoenix Super Basketball Tourney at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Pasig City yesterday.
After seeing its once 21-point lead trimmed to 97-100 with 43.9 seconds remaining on the clock, Joseph Ronald Quiñahan came up with a huge jumper from post territory with 15.8 seconds left to make it a five-point match.
The Fuel Masters failed to come even close as Road Warriors rookie William McAloney pickpocketed the ball in the next possession then went for an uncontested layup with five seconds left to ice the victory.
Quiñahan led NLEX with 15 points, four assists, and three rebounds, while Philip Paniamogan and Negrense Raul Soyud added 13 and 12 markers, respectively. Pedrito Galanza and Kevin Alas also contributed 10 points each for the victors.
“We got a good lead, but we relaxed in the latter part of the fourth quarter, so to me that’s a bad sign. So, konti na lang. That’s something I think we can fix in the next few weeks,” said Road Warriors head coach Yeng Guiao.
Jason Perkins finished with 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists, Jorey Napoles fired 20 points, 10 coming in the payoff period, while Matthew Wright shot 3-of-9 from the distance to finish with 20 points, five assists, and three boards for the Fuel Masters.
Meanwhile, Alaska Aces capped off its campaign in the three day pocket tournament with an 81-79 victory over the San Miguel Beermen. Robbie Herndon tallied 19 points, while Rodney Brondial added 14 markers for the victors./PN
