PBA: NLEX survives Terrafirma's comeback bid to go 2-0

DeQuan Jones dropped 30 points to lead NLEX past gritty Terrafirma. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—NLEX escaped a fourth-quarter attack from Terrafirma to walk out of the Ynares Center Montalban in Rodriguez, Rizal with a 101-100 win in their PBA Governors' Cup clash on Sunday night.

Behind a first-half explosion, the Road Warriors looked to have already mauled the Dyip after preserving a 90-67 lead after the third quarter.

However, Terrafirma fought back in the final frame and held NLEX scoreless in the last 4:15 of the contest.

The Road Warriors only prevailed after Justin Strings missed a buzzer-beating three that could have completed the Dyip's comeback.

DeQuan Jones led NLEX, now 2-0 in the standings, with 30 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.

Schonny Winston added 13 points, five rebounds, and six assists.

Maverick Ahanmisi and Juami Tiongson each had 19 markers, while Strings added 18 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and one steal for Terrafirma, which fell to 1-1.

The Scores:

NLEX 101 – Jones 30, Winston 13, Bolick 12, Alas 9, Bahio 8, Semerad 8, Gonzales 5, Valdez 4, Herndon 4, Torres 3, Rodger 3, Capulong 2, Ramirez 0, Gamboa 0, Nieto 0

TERRAFIRMA 100 – Ahanmisi 19, Tiongson 19, Strings 18, Bravo 9, Catapusan 9, Eriobu 7, Paraiso 6, Hanapi 6, Chiu 5, Umali 2, Mariano 0, Zaldivar 0

QUARTERS:  32-29, 65-48, 90-67, 101-100