NLEX import Earl Clark collars the rebounds. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–NLEX gave its former coach Yeng Guiao a rude return to Rain or Shine and came away with a 96-90 victory on Friday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Former NBA player Earl Clark produced stellar numbers in his debut as the Road Warriors won at the expense of Guiao, who left the team a few weeks ago and came back to the team he guided to two championships.
Clark had 26 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, four steals and six blocks for NLEX.
Interim coach Adonis Tierra called the shots for the Road Warriors, who recently hired ex-NCAA champion mentor Frankie Lim.
Tierra will still man the sidelines for NLEX on Sunday against Meralco before Lim officially takes over.
Kevin Alas posted 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Road Warriors while rookie Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser made four points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.
Ganuelas-Rosser donned the NLEX jersey for the first time after being acquired from Blackwater in a three-team trade that sent Calvin Oftana to TNT.
Import Steve Taylor Jr. made 21 points and 12 rebounds but Rain or Shine fell behind in the fourth after a tight battle in the opening 36 minutes.
Rey Nambatac and Mike Nieto added 11 and 10 for the Elasto Painters.
The scores:
NLEX 96 — Clark 26, Chua 18, Alas 15, Trollano 12, Nieto 12, Varilla 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Miranda 3, Magat 2, Rosales 0, Fonacier 0, Ighalo 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 90 — Taylor Jr. 21, Nambatac 11, Nieto 10, Caracut 9, Ponferrada 8, Asistio 7, Demusis 6, Belga 5, Ildefonso 4, Santillan 4, Borboran 3, Norwood 2, Mamuyac 0, Torres 0.
Quarters: 15-24, 36-42, 67-66, 96-90.