MANILA – NLEX pulled off a major turnaround in the final 24 minutes to take down Terrafirma, 105-102, in the second day of the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Down 31-47 at halftime, the Road Warriors outscored the Dyip, 74-55, to overturn the contest.
NLEX, however, had to survive a late scare as Terrafirma went on an 8-1 run within the last 1:11 of the game to draw to within one, 102-103, even as the latter got a chance to steal the win after forcing a turnover with 3.2 seconds left.
Joshua Munzon, though, lost the ball at the sideline while trying to hurry for a game-winner, giving the ball back to the Road Warriors, who somehow iced the game through two free throws from Calvin Oftana with one second remaining.
Kevin Alas led NLEX with 24 points, two rebounds, and six assists off the bench, while Oftana added 20 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
Justin Chua chipped in a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds with one block and one steal.
Juami Tiongson and Aldrech Ramos each scored 18 markers for Terrafirma.
The Scores:
NLEX 105 – Alas 24, Oftana 20, Quinahan 18, Trollano 15, Chua 13, Rosales 7, Paniamogan 5, Nieto 3, Semerad 0, Miranda 0, Varilla 0, Soyud 0, Ighalo 0
TERRAFIRMA 102 – Tiongson 18, Ramos 18, Munzon 15, Daquioag 14, Gabayni 12, Cahilig 7, Go 7, Camson 5, Gomez de Liano 4, Balagasay 2, Calvo 0, Enriquez 0, Mina 0
QUARTERS: 17-18, 31-47, 71-76, 105-102 (PNA)
