MANILA -- NLEX bolstered its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals with a 109-99 win over GlobalPort at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night.
The Road Warriors went off to a hot start, opening a 27-9 lead midway into the first quarter.
The Batang Pier, however, slowly crawled back and even took a 63-62 lead midway in the third.
It was all-NLEX from then on as Juami Tiongson caught fire in the final chapter to lead the team's final charge.
Tiongson finished with 21 points, 14 in the payoff period, one rebound, four assists, one steal to back stop Aaron Fuller, who had 33 markers, 20 boards, two dimes, three blocks, and two steals.
NLEX moved up to 7-2 and can secure a Top 4 berth if the team wins either of its remaining two games.
Murphey Holloway dropped 29 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, six steals, and three blocks for GlobalPort, but he too had seven turnovers.
Terrence Romeo also impressed for GlobalPort, tallying 24 markers, one carom, four dimes, and one steal, but he committed eight errors of his own.
Mac-Mac Cardona made his PBA return following a year-long personal debacle, chipping in four points and two rebounds.
Box Scores:
NLEX 109-Fuller 33, Tiongson 21, Quinahan 18, Alas 12, Baguio 10, Mallari 8, Fonacier 4, Ighalo 3, Al-Hussaini 0, Lastimosa 0, J. Villanueva 0, Soyud 0, Taulava 0
GlobalPort 99-Holloway 29, Romeo 24, Anthony 15, Cortez 9, Arana 9, Guinto 6, Cardona 4, Baracael 3, Mamaril 0, Hubalde 0, Celiz 0
Quarterscores: 33-22, 56-54, 78-76, 109-99 (PNA)
