PBA: NLEX staves off Phoenix rally to go 2-0
NLEX Road Warriors’ Myke Henry and Anthony Semerad in a game against Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines– NLEX squandered a huge lead in the first half and withstood Phoenix’s uprising in the fourth to pull off a 100-95 win Sunday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Myke Henry dropped 37 points while Tony Semerad delivered a crucial three late as the Road Warriors prevailed despite seeing a 23-point advantage disappear following the Fuel Masters rally.
Article continues after this advertisementWith a 2-0 record, NLEX gained a share of the lead in Group B with Rain or Shine.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup elimination round
Henry also had nine rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Road Warriors, who are still perfect under new coach Jong Uichico.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Road Warriors also got a crucial three from Robbie Herndon with 19.8 seconds left after the Fuel Masters, who came back to lead a few times in the fourth, pulled within one, 96-95, on RR Garcia’s layup on the previous possession.
Tony Semerad was the top local scorer with 13 points as Robert Bolick added 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting on top of seven rebounds and nine assists.
READ: PBA: Bolick uses new four point arc to toy with defenders
Phoenix dropped to 0-2 in the group after mounting a big fightback from a 44-21 deficit in the second.
Garcia scored 18 points for the Fuel Masters and was among the reasons why they got the lead in the fourth. He had two four-point shots, the last made it 93-89 in the same period.
Import Jayveous McKinnis added 15 points and 14 rebounds for Phoenix.
