The NLEX Road Warriors registered their first win of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the expense of defending champions Barangay Ginebra, 94-75, Sunday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Kevin Alas paced the Road Warriors' offense with 20 points, while Kiefer Ravena added 19 markers and five assists.
After going scoreless in the opening two minutes, the Road Warriors came alive and rolled to a 17-2 run to start the game. The defending champions scored their first basket at the 7:46 mark, courtesy of a bank shot by Stanley Pringle.
Ginebra eventually caught up to the opposition and went ahead, 35-34, off a three-point play by Japeth Aguilar, 2:52 left in the opening half.
NLEX, which dropped a one-point decision to Rain or Shine in their season opener on Friday, came alive in the third quarter and erected a 20-point lead, 70-50, courtesy of a triple by Anthony Semerad from the right corner.
Ginebra trimmed the gap to 11, 79-68, but the Road Warriors hit a couple of shots courtesy of Kevin Alas and Mike Miranda to seal the deal.
Christian Standhardinger had a silent game in his Ginebra debut with eight points and nine rebounds. Aguilar led Ginebra with 15 points.
"We're actually very lucky that Ginebra is playing their first game, they're making adjustments," said head coach Yeng Guiao in the post-game press conference.
"This is not the full potential of Ginebra, of course. So we're just very lucky we got them on their first game. I know they're still making adjustments," he added.
NLEX held Ginebra to just 34% shooting (29/83 field goals), including 5/32 from downtown (15%).
"But of course, I also want to give credit to the way we play defense. This is a powerhouse team. If you don't bring your defense against them, you don't have a chance. Our defense held up. And I felt it was a good way to get back from our sorry loss from our first game against Rain or Shine," continued the coach.
THE SCORES
NLEX (94) -- Alas 20, Ravena 19, Trollano 11, Semerad 11, Quinahan 10, Cruz 9, Soyud 7, Miranda 5, Oftana 2, Porter 0, McAloney 0.
GINEBRA (75) -- Aguilar 15, Thompson 12, Tenorio 11, Standhardinger 9, Pringle 8, Caperal 8, Chan 4, Devance 3, Tolentino 2, Enriquez 2, Ayaay 2, Dillinger 0, Salado 0.
Quarter Scores: 26-15, 41-35, 72-55, 94-75.