MANILA, Philippines - NLEX poured it all out in the fourth quarter to keep its win run going while extending Derulo Accelero’s losing skid with a 98-82 victory in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
The Road Warriors took an eight-point lead at the turn but were outscored by the Oilers in the third, 29-25, before re-grouping in the fourth to win pulling away.
Garvo Lanete and Matthew Ganuelas shot 17 points apiece for the Road Warriors who posted their sixth straight win to pull away from the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems (4-1).
“I’m a bit disappointed with our effort. The guys were very complacent. But the bottom line is we got the win. I’m happy to be handing back the reign to coach Boyet (Fernandez) with the team still on a winning streak,†said NLEX assistant coach Mon Celis.
Fernandez and his San Beda Red Lions team are set to arrive today from Lithuania after a two-week training as part of their buildup for the upcoming NCAA season.
In the other games, Brian Ilad scored with 1.3 seconds remaining to lift Cebuana Lhuillier past Café France, 77-76, while Boracay Rum leaned on its bench to beat Big Chill, 76-70.
The Oilers battled NLEX to eight lead changes and six deadlocks but failed to sustain their big third quarter run against the Road Warriors.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr, tallied 16 points, Jake Pascual had 15 markers and Kevin Alas chipped in 12 points for the Road Warriors, who outscored the Oilers, 28-16, in the fourth after a see-saw third quarter.