NLEX fought back from a 15-point deficit before hurdling erstwhile unbeaten TNT in a thrilling finish, 110-108, Wednesday night in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors' Cup at the Philsports Arena.
Old reliable Kevin Alas presided over the Road Warriors' charge, helping complete their comeback en route to their third win in as many games. NLEX joined Converge on the leaderboard.
In pulling off the come-from-behind victory, NLEX needed enough hustle to control TNT's big guns Mikey Williams and Jayson Castro.
Williams was held down to just two points — on a 1-of-10 shooting from the field — while the usually prolific Castro toiled from the floor and was held without a field goal in the fourth quarter. Castro still made 10 markers.
NLEX coach Frankie Lim was surprised his team was able to pull off a win.
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"I didn't know what happened, why they (Tropang Giga) didn't win the game. I thought it was a lost ball game (for us)," said Lim. "But you have to give credit to this guy (Jonathon Simmons). Good shots from (Kris) Rosales and a good effort from the huffing and puffing Sean Anthony and all the five players who were with me until the end."
Simmons finished with 45 points, including 26 in the second half. He is going to play his last game as a Road Warrior on 4 February against Phoenix Super LPG. His replacement import, Wayne Selden, is arriving Thursday.
The National Basketball Association veteran Simmons cut short his stint here as he needed to fulfill his obligations with the Shanxi Loongs in the Chinese Basketball Association.
Anthony had another solid game, coming away with 15 points and six boards while Alas poured in 13 markers for NLEX, which outscored TNT in the fourth period, 32-17.
"But I also thought we did a great job stopping Williams tonight," added Lim.
The Scores:
NLEX 110 – Simmons 45, Anthony 15, Alas 13, Semerad 10, Trollano 9, Rosales 8, Nieto 7, Ganuelas-Rosser 3, Pascual 0, Gabo 0
TNT 108 – Hudson 39, Pogoy 21, Khobuntin 10, Castro 10, Montalbo 6, Tungcab 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Chua 3, K.Williams 2, M.Williams 2, Varilla 2, Marcelo 0
QUARTERS: 28-31, 49-56, 78-91, 110-108
