By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE NLEX Road Warriors extended their rejuvenated push of late in the PBA Philippine Cup, adding erstwhile streaking Alaska Aces in their list of conquered foes with a 96-89 victory yesterday in their matinee encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Riding a two-game winning streak entering the match, NLEX took its ascent to three wins in a row after dominating Alaska early and fending off the latter’s ferocious fight back in the final canto, halting in the process the Aces’ conference-high six-game winning run.

NLEX took control of the opening period, relying on the offensive outbursts of veterans Larry Fonacier and JR Quiñahan to race to a 29-18 advantage.

The Road Warriors sustained their fiery start in the opening quarter as the second canto commenced, outscoring the Aces, 11-6, in the first five minutes to lead, 40-24.

Alaska managed to cut NLEX’s lead to 12 points, 41-29, with less than four minutes to play as it stepped up its defensive pressure.

NLEX, however, regained control with rookie Kiefer Ravena facilitating offense for the team.

The Road Warriors went on an 11-0 blast after to stretch their lead to 23 points, 52-29, before settling for a 20-point gap, 52-32, by the halftime break.

Off the break, NLEX continued to lord it over Alaska, establishing a 30-point lead, 69-39, with 6:50 remaining on the clock.

An 8-0 run by the Aces in the next minute and a half cut the lead to 22 points, 69-47.

NLEX though would stop the bleeding, answering back with a 6-0 blast of its own and stayed in solid form as the quarter ended, holding a 79-54 lead heading into the final 12 minutes.

Alaska continued to fight in the fourth period despite the deep hole it was in. It was able to slash NLEX’s lead to just 11 points, 87-76, with 4:25 to go in the game on the strength of forcing turnovers and fast-break points.

Mr. Quiñahan broke NLEX’s drought with a jumper to take their lead to 13 points, 89-76.

At the two-minute warning, the Road Warriors held an eight-point cushion, 91-83, seeing it further cut down to two, 91-89, with 13 ticks to go.

NLEX guard Kevin Alas was fouled thereafter but split his free throws to still open the door for Alaska, 92-89.

The Aces sued for time to set up a play to tie or come further close, but they threw the ball away off the inbounds pass.

Alaska fouled Mr. Ravena with eight seconds to play. The first-year guard converted his charities and extended their lead, 94-89.

Two more free throws from Mr. Fonacier after settled things and gave the win to NLEX.

Mr. Fonacier and Raul Soyud led NLEX with 15 points each while Mr. Ravena had a double-double of 12 points and 10 assists.

Jeron Teng, JVee Casio and Vic Manuel paced Alaska with 12 points apiece.

“Good thing we had a good start. We built a big lead and it helped us withstand that big fight back by Alaska in the end. Happy we pulled this off,” said Mr. Ravena, who was named player of the game along with Mr. Fonacier, postmatch.

The Road Warriors (5-4) get back on the court on Sunday, Feb. 18, against the Blackwater Elite while Alaska (6-3) plays a day earlier versus the San Miguel Beermen in an out-of-town game in Batangas City.

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