NLEX 1 win away from D-League crown

MANILA, Philippines—Kevin Alas and Matt Ganuelas teamed up for NLEX’s last 14 points as the Road Warriors survived a hard-fighting Big Chill, 79-75, to move within a win of reclaiming the PBA D-League championship Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Alas and Ganuelas knocked in the crucial baskets that kept the Road Warriors afloat after the Superchargers nearly wiped out their 15-point edge, 65-50, in the last seven minutes of Game 1 of the best-of-three Aspirants Cup finals.

“Even with Big Chill’s comeback, my players stayed focused and we stuck to our game plan,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Road Warriors go for the jugular on Wednesday at 4:15 p.m., also at the Big Dome.

Alas dropped 17 points, including a clutch triple that gave the Road Warriors a 78-70 cushion with 34.3 seconds left.

Ganuelas, a member of the Gilas Pilipinas cadet team just like Alas, also canned four free throws inside the last two minutes to finish with 13 points.

The Superchargers had threatened within three points, 68-65, in the last four minutes.  For most of the game, though, the Road Warriors looked all set for a stroll as the former champions raced to an 11-4 start and built a 20-8 lead by the end of the first quarter.

NLEX 79—Alas 17, Ganuelas 13, J. Pascual 11, Adeogun 10, R. Pascual 9, Dela Cruz 6, Dela Rosa 4, Lanete 4, Raymundo 3, Long 2, Hermida 0.

BIG CHILL 75—Cervantes 17, Heruela 12, Baloria 9, Mirza 9, Brondial 9, Villahermosa 7, Apinan 6, Canlas 3, Maiquez 3, Belleza 0, Santos 0, Lozada 0.

Quarters: 20-8, 41-30, 58-46, 79-75

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NLEX withstands Big Chill on heroics by Alas, Ganuelas