PBA: NLEX stops four-game slide, dominates also-ran Phoenix

NLEX Road Warriors’ import DeQuan Jones throws it down as Phoenix defenders look on during a PBA Governors’ Cup game. -PBA IMAGES

NLEX took things up a notch in the third quarter on Friday night and beat also-ran Phoenix, 104-79, to get back on track in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The Road Warriors leaned on the one-two punch of import DeQuan Jones and cornerstone Robert Bolick Jr. at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila, to end a four-game slide and rise to a 4-5 win-loss mark in Group B play.

“The players knew how important this game was. They knew we weren’t automatically getting in [the playoffs], and it still depends on Blackwater’s next games. But they really knew the importance of this game,” said head coach Jong Uichico whose squad inched closer to a quarterfinal berth.

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Jones finished with 27 points and seven rebounds, while Bolick 19 points and nine assists. Baser Amer chipped in 14 points, while Enoch Valdez 10 in the contest where they enjoyed leads as many as 31 points.

“Our pride really showed,” added Amer, whose squad will try to improve their chances by winning against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday.

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The Bossing will have San Miguel and Rain or Shine up next in their schedule and their playoff hopes are contingent on how they perform against those two mighty clubs.

Phoenix drew 13 points from Sean Manganti, 12 from Tyler Tio, 11 from Jason Perkins and 10 more from Raul Soyud as the Fuel Masters settled for a 1-10 record to end the import-laden conference.