Road Warriors edge Gin Kings in OT to catch quarters bus

MANILA, Philippines -- The NLEX Road Warriors booked the final quarterfinal berth of the PBA Governors' Cup after outlasting Barangay Ginebra in overtime, 103-99, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

NLEX finished the elimination round with a 5-5 win-loss record, which was enough to grab the final playoff seat in Group B play, ultimately eliminating the Blackwater Bossing.

DeQuan Jones exploded for 44 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way for the Road Warriors. Robert Bolick added 16 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.

Anthony Semerad and Jones heated up from beyond the arc in overtime.

Semerad broke the 92-all deadlock at the opening minute with a triple. It was answered by a pair of free throws by Japeth Aguilar, but Semerad retaliated with another trey to push the lead to four, 98-94.

Mav Ahanmisi punched in a deuce on the other end, which was answered back by another trey of Jones to help the Road Warriors take a five point advantage, 101-96.

The two teams traded misses, and the cold streak was broken by a Stephen Holt split from the line, 97-101.

Richie Rodger then sank the go-ahead layup with less than a minute to go to make it 103-97.

Holt sank a layup in the next possession, and Ginebra was able to haul down a missed Javee Mocon shot with time winding down.

RJ Abarrientos had a chance to tie the game with a 4-pointer, but it missed, sealing NLEX's win.

Ginebra played without Justin Brownlee in the final 3:36 of overtime due to an apparent injury.

It was surely a big blow for the Gin Kings, as it was Brownlee and Abarrientos who teamed up in the fourth quarter to erase an 85-92 deficit with 2:14 left.

A 3-pointer by Brownlee took the game into overtime, until Semerad and Jones' big shots put the game out of reach.

Semerad finished with 12 points. All of his field goals came from beyond the arc.

Brownlee had 26 markers, 12 boards, four dimes, two steals and two blocks for Ginebra. Aguilar chipped in 22 points and nine rebounds for the Gin Kings.

It was a nip-and-tuck affair, with the game having 10 deadlocks and 25 lead changes.

Ginebra ended the elimination round with a 6-4 win-loss record.