NLEX survives struggling Star, snaps three-game skid

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NLEX took the high road and left Star behind its tracks in an 88-85 thriller in the PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Star had a last gasp heave to send the game to overtime but Mark Barroca’s three-point attempt from the corner was all air as the time ticked away.

NLEX snapped its three-game skid as the Road Warriors improved to 2-3 while the Hotshots fell to a disappointing 1-4.

“I really appreciate the players for this,” said a relieved NLEX head coach Boyet Fernandez. “They played hard despite the three straight losses that we had.”

“This game is for the players.”

Star still had a semblance of fight left within itself when Barroca and Marc Pingris connected on a pick-and-roll as the Hotshots trailed 85-83 with 56.2 seconds remaining.

With the scoreline at 88-85, NLEX’s Asian import Rodrigue Akl had the chance to ice the game with 3.0 seconds left but he blew his freebies resulting in a Pingris rebound.

Henry Walker had a game-high 32 points to go along 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks for NLEX while Garvo Lanete added 15 points, nine in the fourth.

Wright led the Hotshots with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks while Pingris had a double-double of his own with 14 points and 13 boards.