NLEX Road Warriors’ Myke Henry and Anthony Semerad in a game against Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA Governors’ Cup. – MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – NLEX blew a big first-half lead and withstood Phoenix’s fourth-quarter surge to claim a 100-95 victory Sunday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Myke Henry scored 37 points while Tony Semerad delivered a crucial three-pointer late as the Road Warriors prevailed despite seeing a 23-point lead disappear after the Fuel Masters’ rally.
With a 2-0 record, NLEX took the lead in Group B alongside Rain or Shine.
Schedule: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup knockout round
Henry also had nine rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Road Warriors, who remain perfect under new coach Jong Uichico.
The Road Warriors also got a crucial 3-pointer from Robbie Herndon with 19.8 seconds remaining after the Fuel Masters, who led at times again in the quarter, pulled within one, 96-95, on a layup by RR Garcia on the previous possession.
Tony Semerad led the home team with 13 points, while Robert Bolick added 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting along with seven rebounds and nine assists.
READ: PBA: Bolick uses the new four-point arc to play with the defenders
Phoenix fell to 0-2 in the group after mounting a big comeback from a 44-21 deficit in the second.
Garcia scored 18 points for the Fuel Masters and was one of the reasons they took the lead in the fourth. He had two four-pointers, the last making it 93-89 in the same period.
Import Jayveous McKinnis added 15 points and 14 rebounds for Phoenix.
