PBA: NLEX escapes Phoenix to draw first blood in QF showdown 

Top-seeded NLEX fended off a tough fightback from Phoenix, grinding out a 97-92 win against Phoenix in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup quarterfinals on Sunday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

The Road Warriors held off a fourth-quarter surge from the Fuel Masters, who pulled to within one late in the fourth after trailing by as much as 15 points, to draw first blood in the best-of-five series.

Deonte Burton showed the way with 27 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, three blocks, and two assists while Robert Bolick led the local support with 20 markers, four boards, and four dimes.

Schonny Winston and Tony Semerad chipped in 13 and 11 markers each.

Phoenix stepped on the gas late in the final frame with Ken Tuffin knocking down a jumper to trim the gap to a solitary point, 90-89. NLEX would build another six-point lead, but Marcellus Earlington and Tuffin once again pulled Phoenix to within two, 94-92, in the final 22 seconds.

But the Road Warriors proved efficient on the charity stripe with Ljay Gonzales and Burton combining for the last three free throws to close it out.

Ricci Rivero paced Phoenix with 24 points alongside nien rebounds and five assists while Kai Ballungay churned out 20 markers as Earlington was limited to just 14 points in 42 minutes of action.

Scores:

NLEX 97 – Burton 27, Bolick 20, Winston 13, Semerad 11, Alas 6, Gonzales 6, Herndon 5, Valdez 5, Bahio 4, Racal 0, Nieto 0, Gamboa 0, Marcelo 0

Phoenix 92 – Rivero 24, Ballungay 20, Earlington 14, Mamuyac 11, Tio 9, Tuffin 7, Santos 5, Delos Santos 2, Escandor 0

Quarters: 29-26, 56-48, 77-73, 97-92.

—JKC, GMA News