PBA: NLEX weathers Phoenix’s fightback to draw first blood

MANILA — The NLEX Road Warriors survived a late rally by Phoenix and held on for a 97-92 win in Game 1 of their quarterfinal series in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, Sunday evening at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Import Deonte Burton submitted a 27-point, 11-rebound double-double while Robert Bolick added 20 points as the Road Warriors drew first blood in the best-of-five affair.

NLEX led by as many as 15 points but was under the gun late as Phoenix got within one, 90-89, off a Ken Tuffin bucket with under four minutes to go.

A layup by Anthony Semerad and free throws by Burton gave NLEX some breathing room, 94-89, before a jumper by Marcellus Earlington and a split at the line from Tuffin got the Fuel Masters within striking distance anew, 94-92, with 22 seconds to play.

Unfortunately for Phoenix, Earlington was assessed a flagrant foul after crashing with NLEX’s Enoch Valdez, giving the Road Warriors the chance to ice the game at the free throw line.

A split by Ljay Gonzales and two foul shots from Burton pegged the final score at 97-92, as Earlington’s last-gasp three-pointer clanged off the rim.

Ricci Rivero led Phoenix with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Kai Ballungay added 20 points and eight boards.

Earlington had 14 points and 13 rebounds, but the import shot just 6-of-19 from the field and committed the costly foul in the endgame.

Game 2 of the series is on Wednesday, still at Ynares Antipolo.