ANTIPOLO—NLEX snapped out of a three-game skid in style on Friday night, rallying from 10 points down in the fourth period to clip Alaska in overtime, 116-110, and stay in the hunt for a playoff berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Ynares Center here.
Aaron Fuller had 42 points and 21 rebounds and was big late in the regulation, and JR Quinahan hit 10 of his 15 points in the extra period as the Road Warriors improved to 5-5 overall and stalled the Aces’ march for a top four finish.
“He carried us on his shoulders tonight,” coach Yeng Guiao said of Fuller, who forged the extension with a short stab with a fraction over two seconds left at 99-all.
It was a disappointing way to finish a game for the Aces, who muffed two crucial free throws, one by Vic Manuel in the dying seconds of regulation, which would have forced the Road Warriors to take a triple to tie instead of making Fuller work underneath for that short stab.
Quinahan, meantime, made two big triples when the game truly hung in the balance and swung the momentum in favor of the Road Warriors, who will close out against Rain or Shine on Nov. 3 seeking the win that would seal their place in the next round.
Alaska dropped to 7-3 and is now forced to win its clash with NorthPort tomorrow at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao in order to avoid complications as far as a seat in the top four—and the twice-to-beat privilege that goes with it—is concerned.
As things stand, the Aces dropped out of a tie for the lead with idle Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia, which will be locking horns also Sunday for what would now be a sure quarterfinal bonus and the No. 1 seeding in the playoffs, meaning, the lightest quarterfinal assignment.
The Hotshots were still playing TNT KaTropa at presstime and could sew up a quarterfinal bonus with a win.
Should Alaska win, the loser of the Ginebra-Magnolia match would then need to win its last game to get to eight wins and avoid possible complications that could arise for the last quarterfinal bonus with San Miguel Beer looming as a likely playoff foe for that slot.
Meanwhile, Blackwater tries to snap a two-game losing streak and stay in the hunt for a top four berth when the Elite battle ousted Columbian in the first of two games making up a Petron Saturday Special schedule at Alonte Sports Center in Laguna.
Tip-off is at 4:30 p.m. with this game of utmost importance for the Elite, who can earn a shot at a twice-to-beat privilege next week provided they hurdle the Dyip even as San Miguel Beer seeks to extend a three-game winning streak when it battles Rain or Shine in the 7 p.m. game.
The Beermen also need to take this one in order to keep hopes of advancing in the upper half alive.