MANILA, Philippines -- KG Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos showed up their former team as the Mahindra Enforcers finally barged into the win column dealing the NLEX Road Warriors a 103-93 win on Friday at in the 2015 PBA Smart Bro Philippine Cup at Philsports Arena.
Canaleta and Ramos, who were shipped by NLEX prior to start of the season in a three-team trade that included second overall pick Troy Rosario going to TNT while getting Kevin Alas in return, make them pay by firing 14 points apiece to lead Mahindra.
“I think may motivational factor din yun sa kanila kasi galing sila dyan. Pero mga beterano na sila. They know what to do and they need to play a normal game and step up on our offense,” Mahindra assistant coach Chito Victolero said.
Alas, who is celebrating his birthday, only had three points for NLEX, who trailed by as many sa 21 points.
Kyle Pascual came back from sickbay to also hit 14 on 7-of-11 shooting.
Asi Taulava pumped in 31 points, 15 in the fourth quarter where NLEX went on a furious fightback that only fell short.
It was the first victory for Mahindra after two close loss in their first two games against TNT and Alaska.
“We played with a sense of urgency. We finally proved we can play for forty-eight minutes," Victolero said.
Mahindra rode on a strong start zooming in to a 10-point lead at the end of the opening quarter, 26-16, that ballooned to as many as 21 before cruising control.