NLEX upsets TNT for much-needed win

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NLEX averted disaster and delivered a homely victory for head coach Yeng Guiao with a 110-98 shocker over TNT in the PBA Philippine Cup Saturday at Angeles University Foundation Gym in Pampanga.

The Road Warriors snapped a disastrous five-game losing streak and improved to 2-5 while the KaTropa saw its own two-game winning run stopped and slipped to 4-3 joining Phoenix in the third seed.

NLEX was holding off TNT comfortably in the early parts of the fourth quarter resting on a 93-87 lead courtesy of Sean Anthony’s layup.

Jayson Castro, however, took over and capped off the KaTropa’s 7-0 run to give TNT a 94-93 lead at the 6:13 mark of the fourth quarter.

The Road Warriors would then retaliate and give Guiao, a native of Pampanga and was once the province Representative in the Philippine Congress, a show in the form of a 13-2 run that put them at 106-96 with 2:04 left in the game.

Guiao said it was a welcome relief for them to take one against the title-contending KaTropa.

“It was a big relief to win after a five-game losing streak and it’s more special because we beat a title contender,” said Guiao. “But it’s just one win for us, it’s a long way for us but it’s a good start for the New Year.”

Carlo Lastimosa had a game-high 22 points to lead the Road Warriors while Anthony had a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double.

Eric Camson came off the bench to pitch in 12 points for NLEX while Kevin Alas had a dozen points also.

Jayson Castro put up 17 points, seven assists, and five rebounds while Kris Rosales and Moala Tautuaa had 15 points apiece.