Cyrus Baguio of NLEX slices through this defense by Northport’s Bradwyn Guinto and Jeric Teng during their PBA Governors’ Cup game Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

All of the coaches and the players responded really well with the challenge

An undermanned NLEX squad continued its winning ways even without coach Yeng Guiao, clobbering Northport, 123-107, for its second straight win in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Sports Center.

Squandering an early 15-point lead, the Road Warriors sizzled in a third quarter rally which turned their slim 61-58 halftime lead to a mammoth 94-78 separation entering the final canto.

It was all NLEX from there before league first timer Rashad Woods carried the Batang Pier to as close as 95-104 in the last 4:47.

But Kenneth Ighalo retaliated quickly with six straight points to install order back for the Road Warriors, 110-95, only four minutes to go before their lopsided victory.

With the win, NLEX raced to a 2-0 lead to take the early lead in the season-ending conference.

“I love our defense tonight. We defended really well especially in the second half,” said acting coach Jojo Lastimosa who was ordered to guide the Road Warriors in lieu of chief tactician Guiao who is presently with the National Team competing in the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“We’re somewhat surprised and also not really surprised (with the 2-0 slate). We saw it in our first game with how the players responded even without coach Yeng. All of the coaches and the players responded really well with the challenge,” Lastimosa said.

Already without injured Kevin Alas and suspended Kiefer Ravena, NLEX was also missing veteran Asi Taulava who is also in Jakarta.

Squandering an early 15-point lead, the Road Warriors sizzled in a third quarter rally which turned their slim 61-58 halftime lead to a mammoth 94-78 separation entering the final canto.

Without them though, seven players stepped up and scored in double digits led by import Olu Ashaolu as NLEX also dispatched top contender Talk ‘N Text two days ago, 103-90, for their emphatic Governors’ Cup debut win.

Playing through a partial patellar tendon tear injury, Ashaoulu dropped 27 points and 13 rebounds for a quick follow-up to his 33-point, 23-rebound outing against the KaTropa last Friday.

Veteran Larry Fonacier and rookie Mac Tallo were also instrumental with 14 points apiece while JR Quinahan and Ighalo added 12 and 11 points, respectively for NLEX which relinquished an early 34-19 lead in the first quarter.

Woods tallied 42 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists on top of four steals in his PBA debut with Northport.

Big man Mo Tautuaa also added 20 points but which proved to be insufficient for Batang Pier who were also missing injured Sean Anthony and national team member to the Asian Games Stanley Pringle.

NLEX (2-0) will gun for a 3-0 slate on Wednesday against the debuting Magnolia while Northport eyes to barge to winning column against Phoenix on Sunday.