NLEX pips Kia for 2-0 start

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

NLEX stopped Kia in its tracks and chalked up its second straight win in the PBA Governors’ Cup, 100-93, Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Road Warriors improved to 2-0 while the Picanto fell to 0-2.

“It’s a nice feeling to put together a winning streak, the confidence level is getting better,” said NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao. “We were really excited before this game because there is something good that is happening within the team.”

“We are getting good and balanced effort from everybody, and aside from the balance we have an import that is giving us the scoring consistently.”

The Road Warriors, though, didn’t cruise to the victory as their 27-point lead, 78-51, at the start of the third quarter slowly dissipated until the final minute of the game.

As, his team struggled to maintain its lead in the final period Guiao was called with two technical fouls in a span of 54 seconds and he walked off the playing floor with 4:19 left in the game.

Kia forced the issue and cut the deficit to five, 98-93, with Markeith Cummings converting on a three-point play with less than 20 seconds left in the game but Kevin Alas iced the game from the free throw line for NLEX’s final two points.

“We relaxed too early and our execution was bad in the last quarter,” said Guiao. “We lost focus.’

Aaron Fuller led NLEX with 24 points and 19 boards while Kevin Alas and Carlo Lastimosa added 13 points apiece.

Cummings had a game-high 30 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Picanto.