Magnolia erases 14-point lead vs NLEX, nabs 5th win in a row

The Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots erased a 14-point lead to pull off a come-from-behind victory over the skidding NLEX Road Warriors, 112-109, in the PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Import Mike Harris led on both ends, dropping 31 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and a steal while guard Paul Lee churned out 21 markers, four dimes, and two boards as they improved to 5-0.

Meanwhile, NLEX slid to its third consecutive loss for a 4-3 card.

NLEX rode a huge first quarter to erect a slim 25-22 lead over the Magnolia but the Hotshots, with their unblemished record at stake, contained Road Warriors' surge for a 56-54 affair at the halftime with NLEX still in the lead.

But the Yeng Guiao-mentored team started to pull away in the third.

A Kevin Alas layup brought NLEX up by 14, 87-73, with 1:28 left in the third period. Prior to that, NLEX detonated for a 29-19 run to create a huge separation from Magnolia.

NLEX then ended the frame with a 10-point cushion, 88-77.

Magnolia came roaring back in the payoff period with a 15-4 spurt capped by a layup by Aris Dionisio to tie the game at 92-all.

The two teams fought for control from there, with Magnolia finally pulling ahead by three with a little over a minute on the clock, 110-107. JR Quinahan made a basket to give NLEX a chance to salvage the game, but Matt Nieto couldn't convert all three charities off a foul from Jio Jalalon with 32 ticks left.

Harris put the icing on the cake as he muscled his way to the basket, 112-109.

NLEX opened the season-ending conference on the right foot, winning four in a row against San Miguel, Northport, TNT, and Terrafirma before stumbling against Phoenix Super LPG and Meralco.

The Road Warriors have also recently elevated rookie David Murrell to the active roster after the squad encountered three injuries with Calvin Oftana, Tony Semerad, and Mike Miranda all sidelined.

Magnolia, meanwhile, had its best start in any conference under the tutelage of current head coach Chito Victolero.

—MGP, GMA News