NLEX loses big lead but salvages a 100-94 win over Boracay Rum

Kevin Alas of NLEX (dark) vs Stephen Siruma of Boracay Rum (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—NLEX squandered an 18-point edge but still came out with a 100-94 win over Boracay Rum Thursday in the 2014 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Trinity U Gym.

Kevin Alas starred in a pivotal 7-0 run that overhauled an 80-82 deficit and allowed the Road Warriors to surge ahead for good and assume early lead in the conference.

NLEX opened its campaign with a 102-84 blowout victory against defending champion Blackwater on Tuesday, but its sloppy effort in the second half in this game didn’t sit well with coach Boyet Fernandez.

“We became complacent, no doubt about it. They thought we had it when were up by 18. But the good thing was the guys hung on,” Fernandez said.

Alas had a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists to show the way for the Road Warriors, who had six players scoring in double digits.

NLEX dominated the first half and appeared headed for another runaway victory when they built a 38-21 advantage on Ronald Pascual’s jumper midway in the second quarter.

But the Waves are far from finished and clawed back into the game by outscoring NLEX, 33-23, in the third as streak shooting Roider Cabrera went on a three-point scoring barrage and scored 15 of 16 points in the period.

Ronald Pascual then countered for the Road Warriors and knocked down huge threes that halted the Waves’ momentum as he scored 11 of their last 15 points in the third quarter.

“Ronald is a streak shooter so I kept telling him to take the shot when he’s open. And when he made his first 3-point shot I knew he’s on a roll,” Fernandez said.

The Waves managed to get the taste of the lead anew with 6:20 left to play on a basket by Mark Belo, who led all scorers with 26 points, before NLEX pulled away.