Road Warriors torch NorthPort for second straight win

The NLEX Road Warriors torched the NorthPort Batang Pier for 123 points to claim another victory on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup.

The Batang Pier shot a decent 43 percent from the field but it was not enough as they allowed the Road Warriors to hit 53 percent with a high 62 percent clip from within the arc and 40 percent from beyond.

Save for some time in the second quarter, NLEX led all the way, stretching their advantage to as many as 19 points.

Coach Yeng Guiao’s squad had seven players tallying double figures, led by Oluseyi Ashaolu with 27 points. Larry Foancier and Mac Tallo tallied 14 apiece, while Alex Mallari rounded up the starters in double figures with 10. Also productive off the bench were JR Quinahan, Kenneth Ighalo, and Juami TIongson, who all combined for 33 points.

A 7-2 run to end the second quarter gave NLEX the lead at the halftime break, and the Road Warriors built on their advantage by scoring 33 points in the third while allowing just 20.

NorthPort went scoreless in the final two minutes of the third, allowing NLEX to jump to a 16-point lead heading into the final 12 minutes.

In the fourth, the Batang Pier struggled to chip away at the lead, only managing to match NLEX’s output to absorb the loss.

Rashad Woods carried NorthPort with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists with four steals, but it was not enough as only three other players scored in double figures. Mo Tautuaa chipped in 20, as Paolo Taha and Jonathan Grey scored 15 and 13 points, respectively. Starters Gabby Espinas and Nico Elorde combined for a 0 of 8 clip from the field. — DVM, GMA News