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.

With a 2-0 record, NLEX gained a share of the lead in Group B with Rain or Shine.

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Henry also had nine rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Road Warriors, who are still perfect under new coach Jong Uichico.

The 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.

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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.