NLEX blasts new-look SMB to open PBA Govs' Cup stint

KJ McDaniels got a win in his NLEX debut. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--On a night when NLEX wore gold-colored jerseys, the team struck gold against San Miguel.

The Road Warriors were blazing in yellow on Wednesday night, mauling the newly-retooled Beermen, 114-102, in the second game of the PBA Governors' Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

NLEX recovered from a slow start and eventually clamped SMB despite a hot game from Brandon Brown as fellow newcomers Simon Enciso and Vic Manuel lost in their first game as Beermen.

While Brown took charge for SMB in the first quarter en route to a 28-22 lead, NLEX seized control of the game in the next two quarters as the locals stepped up for KJ McDaniels, who struggled in his first game as a Road Warrior.

NLEX outscored SMB, 64-49, in the middle two quarters to break away for good.

Despite going 10-for-30 from the field, McDaniels still led the Road Warriors in scoring with 27 points alongside 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block.

Kevin Alas and Don Trollano each added 12 points.

Brown finished with 36 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and two steals for the Beermen.

June Mar Fajardo added 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting, 10 rebounds, one assist, and two steals.

Manuel had 17 markers on 7-of-12 shooting, seven boards, two dimes, and one block, while Enciso only had two points, two caroms, and one interception in their first game with SMB.

The Scores:

NLEX 114 – McDaniels 27, Alas 12, Trollano 12, Paniamogan 11, Quinahan 10, Cruz 10, Rosales 9, Magat 8, Oftana 7, Semerad 5, Miranda 3, 

SAN MIGUEL 102 – Brown 36, Fajardo 20, Manuel 17, Perez 11, Lassiter 7, Romeo 6, Tautuaa 2, Enciso 2, Pessumal 1, Gamalinda 0

QUARTERS: 22-28, 52-49, 86-77, 114-102

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