NLEX posts historic massacre of Macau

Games tomorrow:

(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)

5:15 p.m. — Blackwater vs Magnolia

7:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Rain or Shine

NLEX just ran over guest team Macau on its way to securing a seat to the next round of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

It was all over but the shouting for the Road Warriors after the third quarter on their way to a roadkill of the Giant Pandas, 138-78, on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Fresh after a nearly two-month break and with a new import in Deonte Burton, NLEX came out smoking on all cylinders and easily torched a severely depleted Macau side for a bounce back victory to improve its record to 8-2 in Group A.

The Road Warriors’ repeat — and historic - blowout of the Giant Pandas also booked them a ticket to the crossover quarterfinals.

NLEX’s 60-point winning margin surpassed the previous league record of 56 recorded by Rain or Shine when it defeated Blackwater, 151-95, last 31 March during the Commissioner’s Cup.

“Really happy with the win. Of course, anytime you’re coming off a 52-day break, and especially with the win tonight with Macau. I felt going into the game very similar to the first time we played them, our first game of the season. We didn’t know what their lineup was,” Alapag said.

Burton, who replaced injured DeQuan Jones, made a great first impression with a near triple-double of 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, 14 rebounds and eight assists.

The former Sacramento Kings player also put on a defensive show, swiping six steals and adding two blocks in over 24 minutes of action.

“It feels really good just to be out here with the guys. Yeah, it feels really good. I was really excited to play, and I just hope y’all enjoyed it,” Burton said.