Road Warriors escape blushes
MANILA, Philippines — NLEX fixed a sputtering engine in time to beat Phoenix Super LPG to the finish line.
Banking on clutch Myke Henry in the endgame, the Road Warriors averted a major meltdown and squeaked past the Fuel Masters, 100-95, in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Henry played savior and fired six of his 37 markers in the 11-2 closeout that enabled NLEX to escape the blushes after blowing a 23-point tear and allowing Phoenix to storm ahead at 93-89.
Coach Jong Uichico heaved a sigh of relief after his charges weathered the storm and picked up a follow-up to their opening 104-87 romp over Blackwater for a share of the Group B lead with Rain or Shine (2-0).
“If there’s anything good that happened in today’s game, it’s (NLEX) overcoming adversity, not giving up and still maintaining our discipline, composure and intensity in the last minutes of the game,” said Uichico, who is off to back-to-back wins in his PBA coaching comeback.
With Bolick held down, Henry took over and unloaded a vital three-point play and three converted free throws in the last 2:21 to restore order.
Robbie Herndon helped their import in dealing the final blow, hitting a dagger trey that gave NLEX a 99-95 cushion going to the final 19.5 seconds.
“That’s why they brought me here – to carry the offense when needed and we needed it today,” said Henry, who also grabbed nine boards.
“But give credit to the coaches and my teammates for trusting me to make the right plays,” Henry added.
Tony Semerad shot 13 and Dominick Fajardo chipped in 10 as Bolick managed only 11 after a near triple double output of 24 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists in the previous game.
Later, Jordan Adams produced a 50-11 sizzler as slow-starting San Miguel picked up Win No. 2 in Group B at the expense of all-Filipino Blackwater (0-3), 128-108.
Adams pounded on the Bossing’s locals, who manned the fort after sending home the ineffective Ricky Ledo, as SMB wiped out an early 10-point deficit with a strong finishing kick.
