THE impressive form of the NLEX Road Warriors in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup continued on Wednesday as they racked up their fourth straight win with a 111-91 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Using a fiery run in the third quarter, the Road Warriors created considerable distance which they capitalized on and used as springboard to extend their streak that pushed them to a share of a tie at the top of the standings at 7-1 with the idle TNT KaTropa.

Import Manny Harris led the way for NLEX in the win with a triple-double of 29 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.

The contest was tight from the get-go with the teams not budging an inch.

Rain or Shine took the opening quarter, 27-23, before NLEX surged in the second to claim a 51-49 advantage by the halftime break.

In the third quarter, the complexion of the game changed as the Road Warriors began to assert their will over the Elasto Painters.

They opened things with a 17-6 run in the first six minutes of the frame to build a 68-55 advantage.

Rain or Shine tried to claw its way back but found it hard as it continued to trail, 83-65, with one quarter left to play.

In the fourth canto it was a familiar refrain with NLEX going on a fast start.

It was a 98-77 count for the Road Warriors with 4:32 to go and they were not to be threatened seriously after.

Kiefer Ravena finished with 12 points and six assists while Poy Erram added 12 points and eight rebounds for NLEX.

For Rain or Shine it was new import Richard Ross who top-scored with 20 points on top of eight rebounds and four assists.

Rookie Javee Mocon added 17 points and eight rebounds for the Elasto Painters, who dropped to a 2-7 record. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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