New NLEX import Manny Harris. PBA IMAGES
Coach Yeng Guiao rolled the dice on his import situation, hoping he could get more scoring from someone who has yet to play here and hasn’t played competitive basketball in six months.
That risk yielded quite a reward as NLEX survived Columbian, 117-111, on Wednesday night at Ynares Center in Antipolo, giving the Road Warriors solo second place in the Governors’ Cup eliminations.
“He did what he needed to do for us to win this game,” Guiao said of Manny Harris, who had a terrific two-way performance with 45 points, three steals, and three blocks.
“Olu (Ashaolu) was really doing well for us. He brought us to where we are now at 4-1,” he added. “We took a big risk, but it seems to me after one game that it’s worth the risk.”
JR Quiñahan tossed in 15, while Kiefer Ravena had 11 in the win, the Road Warriors’ fifth in six games.
But Guiao pointed to his charges’ complacency, which led to the Dyip tying it all up at 104 going into the final two minutes.
He could only hope that the Road Warriors are able to rectify that as Harris—despite the already commendable performance—gets to acclimatize in in time for the match against tournament leader TNT.
The Dyip, having played catch-up since the opening bell, drew 18 or more points from four of their starters.
Import Khapri Alston, the shortest among the reinforcements, and Reden Celda combined for a last-ditch effort that would’ve afforded Columbian its first winning streak in the conference.
Columbian thus slid to 3-3 and has a tough assignment coming up: Triple Crown-seeking San Miguel Beer, which it plays this Sunday.
The scores:
NLEX 117—Harris 45, Quinahan 15, Ravena 11, Galanza 9, Soyud 7, Ighalo 6, Taulava 6, Cruz 6, Miranda 5, Paniamogan 5, Erram 2, Baguio 0, Lao 0.
Columbian 111—Perez 21, Corpuz 20, Alston 19, Tiongson 18, Celda 12, Calvo 7, Agovida 6, Cahilig 3, McCarthy 3, Faundo 2, Cabrera 0, Flores 0.
Quarterscores: 28-20, 54-44, 87-77, 117-111.