MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors leaned on
a strong start before holding off Alaska Aces, 104-89, in the Phoenix Super
Basketball Tournament at the Upper Deck Gym in Pasig City.
Negrense center Raul Soyud spearheaded the offense with 22 points on Wednesday.
Kevin Alas contributed 18 markers while Pedrito Galanza and rookie William McAloney contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Road Warriors.
With the trade still pending at the PBA Commissioner’s Office, center John Paul Erram suited up but was not inserted by the Road Warriors.
With the win, NLEX hiked its record in the pocket tournament to 2-0.
Alas was the fire starter for the Road Warriors. He unloaded nine early points to give his team a 22-9 lead, which later grew to as much as 19, 43-24, midway in the second frame.
Vic Manuel helped the Aces get to within five, 56-51, midway in the third frame, but Soyud and Alas conspired in a 15-2 charge that restored order and made it a 71-53 lead for NLEX.
Manuel carried the load for Alaska with his 28 points and eight rebounds. Mike DiGregorio scored 15 points on a pair of three-pointers and Abu Tratter recorded 11 points and eight boards in the defeat.
The three-day, four-team will close today with the Road Warriors aiming for a sweep when it faces Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters.
The Aces, on the other hand, concludes
its campaign against win-less San Miguel Beermen./PN
