MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors leaned on Kevin “K.J.” McDaniels in the overtime to defeat NorthPort Batang Pier, 120-115, in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Road Warriors surged to first place in the standings with 2-0 win-loss slate.
After forcing an extension behind three free throws by Kevin Alas, the Road Warriors surged to a 111-108 lead on a triple and a layup by Calvin Oftana and two inside hits from McDaniels.
The Batang Pier tied the score for the last time at 111-all on a three-point play by Robert Bolick Jr. before McDaniels unloaded seven straight points. The Road Warriors widened the lead to 120-113.
“Once it went to overtime, I needed to put a stamp on the game and try to give my team the victory. Credit to my teammates, we couldn’t have won without them,” said McDaniels.
McDaniels finished the match with 40 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals.
Alas chipped in 21 markers. Michael Miranda played solid in the first half with 13 points, including three triples, while rookie Oftana chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds for NLEX, which led by as much as 14 points in the match.
“We actually lost our composure for a while there. We had a good lead. We just played a really good stretch for most of the fourth and in overtime,” said Road Warriors head coach Joseller Guiao.
Gregory Slaughter led NorthPort (2-0) with 22 points. Arwind Santos added 20 points while reinforcement Cameron Forte finished with 17 points, 23 rebounds, and five assists.
Alaska Aces, meanwhile, moved to a share of the top spot with the Road Warriors following a 99-94 triumph over the revamped San Miguel Beermen, which slumped to its second straight defeat in as many games.
Oluseyi Ashaoulu tallied double-double 23 points and 13 rebounds, Robbie Herndon added 11 markers, while Abu Tratter, Michael Digregorio and rookie Alec Stockton had 10 each for the Aces./PN
BOX SCORE:
NLEX 120 – McDaniels 40, Alas 21, Miranda 13, Oftana 10, Quinahan 8, Trollano 8, Magat 4, Cruz 4, Semerad 4, Varilla 3, Rosales 3, Paniamogan 2.
NORTHPORT 115 – Slaughter 22, Santos 20, Bolick 18, Forte 17, Malonzo 14, Taha 9, Balanza 7, Ferrer 7, Rike 1, Elorde 0, Grey 0.
Quarterscores: 30-19, 57-50, 84-75, 102-102, 120-115.
