NLEX blows past depleted Macau with record 60-point rout as PBA resumes play

Schonny Winston delivered a near-flawless performance to lead NLEX to a blowout win against Macau. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—NLEX wasted no time in adding frustration to a new-look Macau squad with a 138-78 blowout as the PBA Governors' Cup returned to action from a long Gilas Pilipinas break on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Road Warriors, who lost two of their last three games before lending Robert Bolick for national team duties, quickly showed their might on the Giant Pandas, who, despite bringing in a new import in Oscar Lopez, only had nine players suited up, opening a 28-8 lead midway through the first quarter and never looking back.

A late run in the end, capped by back-to-back baskets from Robbie Herndon, set the new PBA blowout win record, eclipsing Rain Or Shine's 56-point win against Blackwater in the Commissioner's Cup.

Schonny Winston led NLEX, which officially clinched a quarterfinal berth and reclaimed solo first place in Group A at 8-2, with 25 points on 10-for-13 shooting, 7-of-7 on two-pointers, three rebounds, one assist, and two steals.

Deonte Burton had a stellar PBA debut with 22 points on 8-for-15 field goals, 14 rebounds, eight assists, six steals, and two blocks.

Oscar Lopez's sensational PBA debut of 36 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block went down the drain as Macau, which played with only nine men and was without head coach Marcus Elliott, fell to a tie with Titan Ultra at the bottom of Group A with identical 2-7 cards.

The Scores:

NLEX 138 – Winston 25, Burton 22, Bolick 14, Semerad 10, Alas 10, Gonzales 10, Torres 9, Marcelo 7, Bahio 6, Nieto 6, Herndon 6, Racal 5, Valdez 5, Gamboa 3, Rodger 0, Capulong 0

MACAU 78 – Lopez 36, Lam 22, Chao 8, Liu 5, Lao 3, Zhang 2, Chen 2, Lu 0, Zhu 0

QUARTERS: 38-23, 70-43, 105-61, 138-78