Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Aaron Fuller had a solid PBA debut and NLEX reasserted its dominance over Alaska with a 112-104 win in the 2017 Governors’ Cup Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fuller notched a double-double with 30 points and 20 rebounds for the Road Warriors, who improved to 3-0 against the Aces this season.
“It’s a different feeling. We only need one win and we’ll be able to tie our record last conference,” said NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao, whose squad finished at the bottom of the standings with a 2-9 card in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“This is a validation of our hard work, but there is nothing to celebrate at this point, it’s just the beginning,” Guiao added.
The Road Warriors broke loose from a 94-deadlock with six straight points by Fulling, including an emphatic putback dunk, giving his team a 111-99 lead with 50 seconds left.
“They’re still a physical, rugged, defensive team. More reason for me to look at this as a good sign because Alaska is not a pushover. Alaska is a contender and if you beat Alaska you know you’re doing something right,” Guiao said.
Kevin Alas was a spark off the bench for NLEX with 20 points and eight rebounds.
LaDontae Henton finished with 27 points and nine rebounds while Calvin Abueva posted 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Aces, whose struggles spilled into the new conference.
Alaska has now lost nine straight games dating back to the previous conference.
NLEX, on the other hand, has won three in a row after ending last conference with back-to-back victories.
