MANILA – An undermanned NLEX Road Warriors pulled off a huge upset at the start of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup. It took down powerhouse TNT KaTropa, 103-90, last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Missing the services of head coach Yeng Guiao, Asi Taulava, Kevin Alas, and Kiefer Ravena, the Road Warriors banked on the 33 points and 23 rebounds of Oluseyi Ashaolu to kick off the season-ending conference on a winning note.
Mark Jayven Tallo added 16 markers. Larry Fonacier had 14 points, with eight coming in the fourth quarter, and Philip Paniamogan contributed 11 markers.
The Road Warriors had an aggressive start behind Ashaolu to take a 23-17 advantage. KaTropa rallied back behind Terrence Romeo to regain the lead but NLEX leaned on treys by Ashaolu and Paniamogan for a 54-45 halftime lead.
The game was tight in the third with the Road Warriors holding to a 78-74 lead before pulling away in the final canto behind Paniamogan, Fonacier and Pedrito Galanza for its largest lead at 102-85.
Romeo led the way with 27 points while Jayson Castro chipped in 15 markers for the KaTropa. Import Mike Glover struggled in his PBA return. He was held to just 11 points and 15 rebounds.
In the first game, reigning back-to-back Best Import awardee Allen Durham and Baser Amer came alive offensively in the second half as Meralco Bolts opened its campaign with a 109-106 win over Columbian Dyip.
After being down by as much as 14 points in the opening half, the Bolts came alive in the third period behind Durham, Amer and Ranidel de Ocampo to surge to an 85-76 advantage.
The Bolts were ahead by 12 points in the final quarter when the Dyip went on a huge fight back to come to as close as 106-108. But the Bolts’ tight defense in the end behind Durham and Rommel Canaleta allowed them to escape with the win.
Durham finished the match with 26 points and 20 rebounds after being held to just seven in the first half. Amer canned 17 of his 23 points total in the second half for the Bolts.
BOX SCORE
NLEX 103 – Ashaolu 33, Tallo 16, Fonacier 14, Paniamogan 11, Galanza 9, Quinahan 5, Tiongson 5, Mallari 5, Baguio 3, Miranda 2, Marcelo 0.
TNT 90 – Romeo 27, Castro 15, Pogoy 13, Glover 11, Semerad 10, Rosario 5, Williams 4, Garcia 3, Tamsi 2, Carey 0, Golla 0.
Quarterscores: 23-17, 54-45, 78-74, 103-90/PN
