Photo from Asia League Facebook. PBA IMAGES
MACAU—NLEX’s fell short in the most crucial of times as it fizzled out against Guangzhou, 75-63, Saturday and failed to move on to the final of the Asia League Super 8 at Macau East Asian Games Dome here.
The Road Warriors were down 46-34 at the half but put on an inspired third quarter run and outscored the Long Lions, 16-8, to close the gap to just four, 54-50, at the start of the fourth.
Guangzhou, however, managed to pull away midway through the fourth quarter going on a 15-5 run for 73-59 edge after Ju Mingxin’s layup with 2:04 left in the game.
Shirelijian Muxtar then hit a dagger of a fallaway jumper with 1:21 left.
Muxtar had a game-high 21 points to lead the Long Lions while Zheng Zhun added 15 points.
Ju flirted had 14 points with six rebounds while Guo Kai flirted with a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Mark Tallo put up 16 points to pace NLEX while Kenneth Ighalo hustled his way to six points and 11 rebounds.