NLEX guard Kevin Alas. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–NLEX snapped two-game slide on Saturday night after outlasting Converge, 116-112, in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Kevin Alas matched his career-best outing with 31 points while import Wayne Selden Jr. put up a stellar two-way outing of 35 points and eight steals for the Road Warriors stayed in the upper half of the draw.
“They showed extraordinary effort, but we have a Kevin Alas,” coach Frankie Lim said of his skipper. “Good win for us. We’re 5-2 but we need for more wins.”
Kris Rosales, Tony Semerad and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser all finished in twin digits to help deal the FiberXers their second loss in the tournament and ultimately and identical win-loss record.
Converge was in control early and kept the game interesting until its final minute behind a big night from import Jamaal Franklin, who finished with 53 points and 11 rebounds.
Maverick Ahanmisi, who is having himself a conference, finished 22 points in the losing effort.
“Just huge credit to the system of coach (Frankie). Everybody stepped up today and it’s our first win with Wayne. We’re motivated to give him his first win,” Alas said of the club’s import, who replaced Jonathon Simmons two meetings ago.
NLEX hopes to get a streak going against Meralco in Thursday’s double-header at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Converge, meanwhile, tries to get back on track when in tackles Blackwater in the nightcap.