NLEX nails huge win on the road

MANILA, Philippines — It took a longer route but just the same, NLEX got the job done and outran San Miguel Beer to the finish line in Cagayan de Oro City.

Atoning for its botched closeout in regulation, the Road Warriors put together a strong performance in extra time to topple San Miguel Beer, 112-108, in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Aquilino Pimentel Convention Center.

And it’s not just the usual suspects like Myke Henry and Robert Bolick who were instrumental in lifting NLEX its big bounceback to its disappointing 105-124 blowout to Rain or Shine and hiking its record to 3-1 overall.

Jhan Nermal, Richie Rodger and Robbie Herndon shone bright in the OT, picking up from what Mike Miranda started for the support crew in the fourth and keeping the Road Warriors humming.

Nermal got things going in the additional five minutes with a three-point play off a foul from Marcio Lassiter. Rodger made a sneaky layup and a get away bucket to help NLEX maintain control. Herndon drilled in the dagger triple that pushed the Jong Uichico-coached squad to 110-106 spread with 28.2 seconds left in OT.

The Beermen cut it to two on a post move by June Mar Fajardo but Bolick, cashing in from the free throw line, restored a four-point cushion going to the last 13.8.

SMB sought to send it to a second extension but missed back-to-back four-ball attempts from CJ Perez and Chris Ross, allowing NLEX to secure the W after previously squandering a 98-93 margin in the last 2:13 of the fourth canto.

Henry produced a 33-point, six-rebound, four-assist, two-steal, two-block game to pace NLEX as Bolick finished with 20. Miranda shot 17 highlighted by a pair of treys and a booming four-pointer in the fourth quarter.

Jordan Adams (36) and Perez (29), whose baseline drive and And-1 play, respectively, forced a deadlock at the end of 48 minutes, headlined the SMB scorers.