NLEX import KJ McDaniels. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—NLEX escaped TNT, 102-100, to stay undefeated in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday night at Araneta Coliseum.
KJ McDaniels gave his former team fits with 33 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks to fuel the Road Warriors, who emerged as the early leaders with a 3-0 record.
McDaniels, who suited up for TNT in the 2019 Governors’ Cup, shot 13-of-23 from the field and scored nine points in the fourth quarter alone to help keep the Tropang Giga at bay.
HAMMER McDaniels! 82-76 NLEX #PBAiTuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/0XzDjZh0s2
— PBA (@pbaconnect) December 15, 2021
TNT had the chance to tie or steal the victory but the Tropang Giga couldn’t even get a shot up before time expired.
The Tropang Giga, coming off a championship in the Philippine Cup, struggled to keep up with the Road Warriors and fell behind by as many as 11 in the first half.
Kelly Williams led TNT with 16 points, 13 of which came in the final frame.
Tropang Giga import McKenzie Moore nearly had a triple-double with 15 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in his PBA debut.
TNT only lost by two despite allowing NLEX to shoot a blistering 56 percent from the field and getting 10 fewer attempts from the free throw line.
This was the Tropang Giga’s first game since winning the Philippine Cup in October.