MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors leaned on returning Kris Porter’s clutch hits down the stretch to defeat San Miguel Beermen, 103-97, in the Phoenix Super Basketball Tourney at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Pasig City on Monday.
The six-foot-five forward, who just returned from a knee injury, drove the Road Warriors on top, 91-90, with over four minutes left via his three point conversation.
Another beyond-the-arc bomb by him with over a minute remaining followed by an assists to Kenneth Ighalo widened the gap to 101-95 with 22 seconds remaining and sealed the victory for the Road Warriors.
Porter finished his returning match with nine points and six rebounds, while his teammate JR Quiñahan led the way with 14 points. Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena and Pedrito Galanza had 11 each. Asi Taulava also did his share by submitting 10 marks.
For the Beermen, Moala Tautuaa tallied 15 points, while Terrence Romeo Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot contributed 14 each. It was their first outing sans star center June Mar Fajardo.
In the other match, Kevin Racal sparked the Alaska Aces in the fourth quarter en route to a 98-87 victory over Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters.
The six-foot-three forward drained eight of his nine points in the Aces’ 15-6 run that turned a narrow three-point lead to a wide 98-82 advantage after free throws by Mike DiGregorio with 1:58 left to play.
The pocket tournament resumes on Feb. 19 with Phoenix battling San Miguel at 10:00 a.m. and Alaska taking on the NLEX Road Warriors at 12:00 p.m./PN
