MANILA, Philippines - NLEX weathered a KIA storm and the ejection of coach Yeng Guiao in the fourth quarter as it eked out 100-93 victory yesterday to seize the early lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the MOA Arena.
The Road Warriors, who bested the Alaska Aces, 112-104, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, needed a 27-point third quarter cushion to survive the Picanto’s furious fightback and seal their second straight win and the lead.
Up 27 points, 78-51, midway in the third period, the Road Warriors went on a scoring slump and Guiao was slapped two quick technical fouls – the first for stepping inside the court and the other for disrespecting officials – allowing the Picanto to prune the lead to a single-digit.
KIA, which came closest at 93-98 on a three-point play by Markieth Cummings with 14 seconds to go, didn’t have time to complete a successful comeback.
Meanwhile, GlobalPort replaced Jabril Trawick with Murphy Holloway yesterday as it takes on Phoenix on Wednesday at the Big Dome.
Trawick was a dud in his first and only game with the Batang Pier and was held to just three points in a heartbreaking 96-98 defeat to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Friday.
The 6-5 Murphy, 27, from Immo, South Carolina, played college ball for the Georgetown Hoyas and counted former TNT import Joshua Smith as teammate.
In the other game, Eugene Phelps scored the game-winning basket just before the final buzzer sounded as Phoenix edged Alaska, 95-93, to join NLEX on top with two wins.