NLEX snaps skid, rallies past Ginebra

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NLEX overcame a double-digit deficit in the third quarter to stop its four-game slide at the expense of Barangay Ginebra, 81-78, in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup Saturday night at Cuneta Astrodome.

Larry Fonacier scored 17 points while JR Quiñahan added 14 off the bench, including back-to-back baskets that put the Road Warriors ahead for good, 79-77, with 1:57 remaining.

“It’s tough, really tough. I really don’t know how we won the game so please nobody ask me how we won the game,” said NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao.

“We just put on an effort and sheer determination and some breaks in the endgame. The important thing for us is we break our losing streak and we gave ourselves a chance to be in the fight.”

Greg Slaughter, who returned after missing four games due to a hamstring injury, had the chance to tie the game but missed his second of two free throws with 5.6 seconds left.

The Road Warriors, who improved to 3-4, rose from 14 points down, 70-56, early in the third period with Fonacier’s five unanswered points turning the favor, 75-73, with 5:07 left.

Japeth Aguilar led the Gin Kings (3-4) with 21 points but air-balled a wide-open corner triple in the waning seconds before Slaughter grabbed the miss and was fouled. Slaughter had nine points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 26 minutes.