Matt Ganuelas of NLEX (dark) vs Anthony Semerald of Zambales (light). NUKI SABIO/ PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines — NLEX demolished an undermanned Zambales M-Builders, 125-61, Thursday in the Aspirants’ Cup at the Arena in San Juan and set the biggest winning margin in the PBA D-League history.
Even sans Garvo Lanete and Kirk Long, the reigning titlist Road Warriors still came out just as fierce and readily turned the game into a rout with a 29-5 second quarter burst.
NLEX, which clinched the no. 1 spot once again after Big Chill’s setback earlier Thursday, did not pull its punches in the second half against the M-Builders who only had eight players.
The previous biggest winning margin in the league’s young history was Maynilda’s 52-point win over Junior Powerade two years ago. Only last week, NLEX blasted Derulo Accelero by 47 points.
“We wanted to finish the eliminations with a win,” said head coach Boyet Fernandez. “No. 1 was given to us in a silver platter.”
Borgie Hermida knocked down four triples en route to a team-best 18-point showing, Matt Ganuelas and Jake Pascual added 17 each, while three others had double-digit points.
The Road Warriors, though, are already assured of a seat in the semifinals along with the Big Chill.
Zambales, whose management reportedly had troubles with unpaid salaries to its players and staff, concluded its maiden D-League stint with a 2-11 record.
Far Eastern University forward Carl Bryan Cruz had 16 points for M-Builders. John Ray Alabanza and Joshua Saret added nine points each.