NLEX plays spoiler as Ginebra' title defense off to bad start

Kevin Alas helped the Road Warriors pull away from the Gin Kings. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Ginebra's bid for back-to-back PBA Philippine Cup championships did not start the way the team wanted as NLEX tripped the perennial crowd darling with a 94-75 blowout on Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Road Warriors quickly broke away from the Gin Kings in the first six minutes of the game, opening a 17-2 lead.

Ginebra came back in the second quarter and even took a 35-34 lead with 2:52 remaining in the period, but NLEX ended the quarter on a 7-0 run to reclaim the advantage, 41-35, at halftime and eventually pulled away for good in the second half.

Kevin Alas led the Road Warriors, who scored their first win of the season, with 20 points, two rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block off the bench.

Kiefer Ravena added 19 points, two rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block.

Japeth Aguilar top scored for the Gin Kings with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal.

He now moves to within just two points of joining the elite 5,000 Points Club.

Scottie Thompson flirted with a triple-double after making 12 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists with three blocks off the bench.

Christian Standhardinger struggled in his Ginebra, only making eight points, getting blocked five times, and turning the ball over four times, although he had 10 boards and one steal.

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