The NLEX Road Warriors came all the way back from a 16-point deficit to take down the Terrafirma Dyip, 105-102, and get their campaign in the PBA Season 47 Philippine Cup off to a rousing start on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Down 31-47 at halftime, the Road Warriors came alive in the third quarter, outscoring Terrafirma by 11, 40-27, to pull to within five, 71-76. They then kept the pressure on, eventually grabbing the lead, 78-76, after a three-point play by Justin Chua with nine minutes left in the game.
The Road Warriors threatened to pull away as they led by nine, 93-84, after a bucket by Kevin Alas with 5:18 remaining in the match. But the Dyip had one more fight left in them, pulling to within one, 102-103, after Juami Tiongson made a technical free-throw.
The Dyip even got a chance to steal the win after Joshua Munzon stole the ball on NLEX’s offensive. However, the second-year wingman turned the ball over right back and NLEX’s Calvin Oftana secured the victory with two made free-throws.
Alas came off the bench and had 24 points and six assists, while Oftana—back in action after a hand injury that sidelined him for an extended period—finished with 20 markers.
JR Quiñahan added 18 points while Don Trollano chipped in 15.
Tiongson and Aldrech Ramos each had 18 points for Terrafirma.
