NLEX fights off Derulo Accelero to remain unbeaten

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO Nuki Sabio/PBA

MANILA, Philippines — NLEX needed to fight off a pesky Derulo Accelero side for a 98-82 win in the 2014 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Garvo Lanete and Matt Ganuelas each scored 17 points to lead the Road Warriors, who chalked up their sixth win in as many stints.

“I’m a bit disappointed with our effort. The guys were very complacent. But the bottom line is we got the [win],” said NLEX assistant coach Mon Celis, who ran the sidelines for the third and final time with head coach Boyet Fernandez returning after handling San Beda’s two-week training in Lithuania.

Red Lions core of Nigerian center Ola Adeogun, Baser Amer, Art dela Cruz, Kyle Pascual and Ryusei Koga will also be back in the NLEX lineup in their next game.

The Oilers, winless after six games, dragged the Road Warriors to a back-and-forth affair with the game seeing eight lead changes and six deadlocks.

Ray Parks added 16 points in only his third game with NLEX while Jake Pascual had 15. Former Letran standout Kevin Alas chipped in 12 points.

Jett Manuel tallied 15 while Clark Bautista shot 13 for the Oilers.

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