NLEX showed another facet to its game and is now nearer to its coveted target in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Unlike in their last two games, where they got off to fast starts and won easily, the Road Warriors had to battle back from as big as a 22-point hole before outlasting Rain or Shine 109-100 in overtime Friday.
Despite being held to just six points in the first half KJ McDaniels still finished with 35 points and 12 rebounds in leading NLEX to a third straight victory and a 7-3 record overall.
One more win in the Road Warriors' last elimination round game against Barangay Ginebra next Friday and they would surely nail a place within the top four, which carries with it a win-once advantage in the quarterfinals.
The way his team overcame the Elasto Painters' tough challenge makes coach Yeng Guiao believe his NLEX squad is up to that task.
"This game is a testament to the character of the boys. Before this 'yung dalawang panalo namin medyo malaki lamang namin. Eto naman dikitan talaga. Kami naman ang nilamangan ng malaki, kami 'yung humabol and we were (only) able to pull it out in overtime," noted Guiao.
"So that's a testament to the character of the team, we can win in different ways. So palagay ko ready na kami."
That determination was displayed the most when the Road Warriors started the extension with eight straight points that gave them a 105-97 lead.
Rey Nambatac capped his 27-point effort with a three-point play that brought the E-Painters within 100-105, but Don Trollano's charities and Kevin Alas' breakaway layup sealed the deal for NLEX.
The loss, its third straight, dropped Rain or Shine to a 3-6 slate despite Henry Walker's 28 points and 13 rebounds. The E-Painters now need to win their last three elims games to gain inclusion among the eight teams advancing to the next round.
It was also Nambatac who gave Rain or Shine a 97-92 lead with 36 ticks left in regulation but NLEX quickly wiped that out with JR Quinahan's own trey and McDaniels' drive, pegging a 97-all count and forcing OT. (NC)
The Scores:
NLEX 109 - McDaniels 35, Alas 15, Cruz 13, Quinahan 13, Rosales 9, Soyud 9, Trollano 5, Nieto 4, Paniamogan 3, Ighalo 3, Varilla 0, Magat 0.
Rain or Shine 100 - Walker 28, Nambatac 27, Mocon 11, Santillan 8, Nieto 6, Torres 7, Borboran 4, Norwood 3, Jackson 3, Guinto 3, Asistio 0.
Quarters: 23-31, 38-55, 70-72, 97-97, 109-100. (PBA)
(Photo credits to: Team Pilipinas)