By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE NLEX Road Warriors welcomed back head coach Yeng Guiao in a grand way, beating erstwhile undefeated Blackwater Elite, 124-106, in Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup action on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Back after more than a month away to coach the national team, Mr. Guiao saw his team play inspired and consistent ball on both ends throughout the contest to get back on the winning track and improve to 4-2 for the tournament.
The two teams slugged it out to start the contest, fighting to a 9-8 count, with NLEX ahead, at the 6:07 mark of first quarter.
Blackwater would then make its move with Nards Pinto leading to tie the score at 14-all after two minutes before taking a three-point lead, 17-14, with 3:28 left.
But the Road Warriors had the last laugh as they finished the quarter strong to hold a 24-19 lead at the end of the first frame.
It was a back-and-forth affair once again to begin the second canto.
The Elite came within two points, 33-31, in the first five minutes.
Import Aaron Fuller though stabilized things for NLEX after, helping to create added distance from Blackwater, 39-33, with 5:57 left.
The Elite continued to charge back for the remainder of the quarter but the Road Warriors found ways to hold them off as NLEX stayed on top, 55-45, at the half.
In the third period NLEX was firing from all cylinders, towed by Larry Fonacier and Kenneth Ighalo, outscoring its opponent, 26-13, to pull away for an 81-58 advantage by the 5:09 mark.
Mr. Walker and Paul Zamar tried to lead Blackwater back the rest of the way, finding some success in narrowing their deficit to just 15 points, 90-75, entering the fourth period.
The Elite began the payoff quarter aggressively only to find the Road Warriors up to the challenge.
NLEX held a 99-89 lead with six minutes remaining, extending it to 15 points, 107-92, at the 4:24 mark.
From there the Road Warriors just matched whatever the Elite threw at them on their way to the victory.
Mr. Fonacier led NLEX with 24 points, going 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. It was his highest output in a Road Warriors uniform.
Mr. Fuller also had 24 points to go along with 20 rebounds while Mr. Ighalo had 18 points.
For Blackwater (4-1), which lost for the first time after four straight victories to open its Governors’ Cup bid, it was Roi Sumang who led the way with 24 points.
Messrs. Walker and Zamar had 16 points apiece and Mr. Pinto 15.
“We really came prepared for this game seeing how Blackwater is for real. The players were excited to play again after a long break and I, too, coaching, having the feel of the PBA again,” said Mr. Guiao after the win.

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