By JONAS TERRADO
Games Sunday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – NorthPort vs Alaska
6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs Meralco
NLEX erased a double-digit deficit in the first half before going on a third quarter rampage to pummel Rain or Shine, 111-91, and gain a share of the lead Wednesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Import Manny Harris led a comeback from 12 points down in the opening period before getting help from JR Quinahan, Kiefer Ravena, Poy Erram, and Jericho Cruz to build a double-digit lead that put the Road Warriors in a tie on top with TNT KaTropa at 7-1.
It is the first time that NLEX has reached such point late in the eliminations since entering the league in 2014.
“We never dreamed na makaka-No. 1 kami at this point of the conference,” said Guiao, who wants his team to remain sharp going into the 12-day break that could leave the Road Warriors with a sense of comfort. “It’s temporary and it’s fragile at alam namin na konting mali mo pwede ka na ulit bumagsak,” he added.
Harris was held to 29 points after dropping 45 and 40 in his first two games since replacing Olu Ashaolu, but was able to produce 12 rebounds and 11 assists.
NLEX trailed 25-12 in the first quarter against a Rain or Shine team parading new import Rich Ross as a replacement for the injured Kwame Alexander.
The Road Warriors were behind, 42-32, when Harris led a comeback by scoring 10 during a 19-7 response that gave them a 51-49 lead at the break.
He got help from Quinahan, Ravena, Erram, and Cruz in the third as NLEX outscored Rain or Shine 32-16 to build an 83-65 lead going into the fourth.
Quinahan scored eight in that period, Erram and Cruz had six and five, while Harris and Ravena combined for seven assists.
Ross posted 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists but was dealing with foul trouble as the Elasto Painters fell to 2-7.
The former US NCAA player at Old Dominion replaced Alexander, who suffered an ankle injury against Blackwater while playing through it against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Saturday.
Rookie Javee Mocon was Rain or Shine’s top local scorer with 17 while Rey Nambatac sat out because of an ankle issue.
The scores:
