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| DeQuan Jones returned to NLEX with a bang. PBA Images |
ANTIPOLO—Jimmy Alapag's new stint as NLEX head coach was off to a hot start on Friday night after the team mauled Macau, 114-75, to open its PBA Governors' Cup campaign at the Ynares Center 1.
The Road Warriors pulled away in the second half, outscoring the rechristened Giant Pandas 69-39.
NLEX still led by 43 points late in the fourth quarter before settling for a 39-point win, a franchise record for its biggest victory.
DeQuan Jones led NLEX with 23 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and one steal in just three quarters.
Kevin Alas added 19 points, 10 in the fourth quarter to sustain his team's dominance, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals off the bench.
Damian Chongqui led Macau, back as a guest team for the second straight conference, with 35 points on 12 of 24 field goals, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal, but he too had six of the team's 21 turnovers.
De'Vondre Perry added 26 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
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