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Guiao relieved that NLEX escapes Alaska fightback

Alaska's pressure defense turned what could have been an easy rout by NLEX to instant classic material. Dennis Acosta
By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Coach Yeng Guiao could just heave a sigh of relief after NLEX survived a late attack from Alaska on Sunday night.

[Related Story: NLEX survives late Alaska run to break out of long logjam]

"I thought we would have a comfortable lead, but I was wrong again," Guiao said after the game. "You really need a 30-point lead to beat Alaska. Even with a 30-point lead, we are not safe. There's a reason why they got six straight wins and they were probably just due for a loss."

He then said that he never saw the Road Warriors' brilliant performance for the first three quarters coming despite a busy schedule for them.

"We are actually very tired because we played these three games in the last nine days. We had two games in the last three games, so the way Alaska played was that they're gonna run you to the ground. I was really surprised that first three quarters in, we're able to keep up our energy despite our two hard wins before this one," Guiao continued.

For Guiao, however, the wild ending should serve as an eye-opener for them.

"I think this win is good for us in terms of learning a lot of lessons. The two games we won before this were really hard games, and I think they helped us in terms of just keeping our composure in the endgame," he further said.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno