NLEX welcomed new head coach Jimmy Alapag with a debut win after a total demolition of guest team Macau, 114-75, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

The Road Warriors battered the Giant Pandas with 69 points in the second half on their way to a blowout victory to start their campaign in Group A of the season-ending conference.

Balik-import DeQuan Jones led NLEX’s assault with 23 points and 11 rebounds while Kevin Alas added 19 markers on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.

LJay Gonzalez 13 markers, JB Bahio got 11 markers and Schonny Winston added 10 for the Road Warriors, who played unselfish basketball with 30 assists.     

“Happy with the effort tonight,” said Alapag, who returned to the Philippines for his PBA homecoming after spending six years as player development coach of the Sacramento Kings in the NBA.

“Really happy with our guys’ efforts and I think one of the strengths going forward, is how deep of a team we are. I think we can get contributions from a lot of different players and we’re able to do that tonight,” added the six-time PBA champion and one of the PBA Greatest Players.

NLEX spoiled the 35-point outburst of Macau scorer Damian Chongqui and the double-double effort of import De’Vondre Perry.

Perry was the only other Giant Pandas player in double-digit scoring with 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.