MANILA, Philippines — Kevin Alas dished out a double-double as NLEX got away with another shaky win in a 103-94 decision of Boracay Rum to grab a share of the lead in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Thursday at Trinity University of Asia gym.
The Road Warriors blew an early 17-point advantage before reasserting themselves in the final six minutes behind Alas, who knocked in the clutch baskets on the way to a 19-point, 10-assist performance.
Cafe France joined the Road Warriors on top at 2-0 following an 84-81 overtime triumph over Hog’s Breath Cafe in the second game.
Rod Ebondo buried 22 points, including the game-tying basket, 81-81, at the end of regulation, before Mac Montilla nailed the game-winning triple with 18 seconds left.
Alas completed a three-point play that put the Road Warriors back on top, 85-82, with 5:32 minutes left after the Waves had wiped out a 17-point deficit, 38-21, and even took the lead, 82-80, behind Mac Belo.
Garvo Lanete added 17 points, including a triple that gave the Road Warriors a 90-84 cushion, while Ronald Pascual and Matt Ganuelas also came through in the final stretch to finish with 14 each.
“We became complacent, no doubt about it,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez, two days after his five-time champions also rallied to score a 102-84 win over Blackwater Sports.
Belo shot a game-high 26 points to pace the Waves, who fell to 1-1.
The scores:
First Game
NLEX 103—Alas 19, Lanete 17, R. Pascual 14, Ganuelas 14, Dela Cruz 13, Adeogun 11, K. Pascual 6, Long 5, J. Pascual 2, Dela Rosa 2, Amer 0, Raymundo 0.
BORACAY RUM 94—Belo 26, Cabrera 16, Lingganay 12, Taha 9, Caperal 8, Banchero 7, Eguilos 5, Sabellina 4, Roño 3, Tagarda 2, Ignacio 2, Siruma 0, Bautista 0.
Quarters: 26-15, 54-38, 77-71, 103-94
Second Game
CAFE FRANCE 84—Ebondo 22, Acidre 18, Montilla 18, Cortes 16, Abundo 6, Batino 2, Sedurifa 2, Jeruta 0, Opiso 0, De Leon 0, Celso 0, Banua 0, Mutombo 0.
HOG’S BREATH CAFE 81—Belencion 18, Sanga 14, Austria 13, Ruaya 10, Gabawan 7, Racal 6, Najorda 5, Rios 4, Avillanoza 2, Robles 2, Terso 0, Macasaet 0, Publico 0, Canta 0.
Quarters: 21-24, 35-41, 59-58, 75-75 (reg.), 84-81 (OT)
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