McDaniels shows way vs NLEX as Meralco snaps two-game slide

KJ McDaniels led the charge on both ends to steer Meralco to a 114-98 victory over his former team NLEX as they snapped their skid in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena.

The veteran import dropped a double-double effort of 31 points and 21 rebounds alongside four assists, two blocks, and one steal as the Bolts halted their two-game slide to improve to 4-3 while NLEX dropped to 5-3.

Meralco led by as many as early in the second period, 37-16, but the Road Warriors pulled to within just six points, 90-84, after a Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser dunk in the early going in the fourth period.

But with McDaniels powering their offense, Meralco held on as the reinforcement drilled eight quick points as their lead went up to 109-93 with 2:49 left to play.

For NLEX, it was Wayne Anthony Selden Jr. leading the way as he trooped to the charity line for five times in that juncture.

Another basket from McDaniels basically sealed the deal for Meralco, 111-96, with one minute and 37 ticks still to go in the fourth.

Allein Maliksi provided the big lift as he finished with 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists off the bench while Chris Newsome registered 18 markers, eight dimes, and five boards.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News