MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors extended their unbeaten start to four games and dealt San Miguel Beermen their first loss of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup after cruising to a commanding 110-96 victory Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Road Warriors improved to a league-best 4-0 record to claim sole possession of the Group A lead, while the Beermen slipped to 3-1 after suffering their first setback of the conference.
NLEX broke the game open in the second quarter with a decisive 14-0 run that transformed a tightly contested affair into a double-digit advantage. The Road Warriors stretched the lead to as many as 25 points in the third period and kept San Miguel at bay the rest of the way.
The Beermen threatened late after cutting the deficit to eight points in the fourth quarter, but NLEX answered emphatically. Robert Bolick drilled a four-point shot before Robbie Herndon buried a three-pointer to complete a 7-0 run that restored a comfortable 99-84 cushion with just over six minutes remaining.
Import DeQuan Jones then dominated the closing minutes to ensure the Road Warriors completed another convincing victory.
Jones paced NLEX with 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Deschon Winston contributed 24 points, four rebounds and four assists. Tony Semerad added 15 points, including several timely three-pointers.
Bolick flirted with a triple-double after finishing with 14 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, while Herndon chipped in 13 points off the bench.
In the day’s other game, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters rolled to a 110-99 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.
The Elasto Painters recovered from an early deficit before taking control for good, building an 18-point lead en route to their second straight win and a 2-2 record.
Import Aaron Fuller spearheaded Rain or Shine with a dominant double-double of 37 points and 12 rebounds, while Caelan Tiongson added 21 points, including five three-pointers./PN
