MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors came up with the biggest upset in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup following a 109-98 triumph over No. 1 team TNT Tropang Giga at the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Pampanga last night.
Kevin Alas spearheaded the offense with 24 points while Ilonggos Jericho Cruz and Kiefer Ravena submitted 19 and 16 markers respectively as the Road Warriors improved to a 2-5 win-loss slate.
The Road Warriors started strong behind Alas, Cruz and Bacolodnon Paul Varilla for an 18-8 edge. Tropang Giga turned things around and led 32-24 but NLEX responded behind Alas and Cruz for a 53-48 halftime lead.
The Road Warriors continued their onslaught in the third period with Alas, Cruz, rookie Mike Ayonayon and JR Quiñahan spearheading the offense for a 75-67 advantage, but TNT made it close in the fourth as they trail only 92-97.
NLEX, however, preserve the much-needed triumph on free throws by Negrense Raul Soyud, three-pointers by Ravena and Cruz and layups by Alas for its largest lead at 109-96.
Jayson Castro finished the match with 27 points, 18 coming in the opening quarter while Roger Pogoy and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. added 16 and 15 markers respectively as Tropang Giga suffered their first loss in six games.
In the first PBA game, Alaska Aces used a huge second half surge as they turned back Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 105-97. The Aces rose to 5-3 while the Fuel Masters dropped to 4-3.
Trailing 61-71 early in the third period, the Aces leaned on the offense of Jeron Teng and Vic Manuel as they chopped the Fuel Masters’ advantage to 71-75 heading into the final quarter.
Alaska went on with its rally in the fourth en route to taking the lead at 81-80 on a triple by Michael Digregorio. Inside hits from Manuel later handed the Aces their biggest edge at 97-82.
Manuel top-scored with 24 points while Digregorio added 21 markers for the Aces. Matthew Wright ended up with 27 points while Calvin Abueva added 18 for the Fuel Masters.
BOX SCORE:
NLEX 109 – Alas 24, Cruz 19, Ravena 16, Quiñahan 8, Ayonayon 8, Miranda 8, Semerad 7, Soyud 6, McAloney 6, Varilla 5, Porter 2, Ighalo 0.
TNT 98 – Castro 27, Pogoy 16, Parks 15, Enciso 11, Rosario 11, Erram 9, Reyes 7, De Leon 2, Semerad 0, Washington 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 24-32; Q2, 53-48; Q3, 75-67; Q4, 109-98./PN
