NLEX beat Phoenix Super LPG, 97-92, on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo to take Game 1 of their best-of-five Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series. The Road Warriors found their answers on defense when the game tightened late.

Deonte Burton paced all scorers with 27 points and made two of his three blocks in the final two minutes. Robert Bolick added 20 points as NLEX survived a late push from the FiberXers.

NLEX Defense Holds Off Phoenix

Burton scored four of his points inside the last two minutes as NLEX held off a Phoenix team that trailed by as many as 15 points but refused to fold. The FiberXers kept fighting until the final possessions.

Bolick, like Burton, was on the verge of fouling out. He still grabbed the last two of his four defensive rebounds inside the final 22 seconds to help NLEX protect its lead, even though the team committed 31 fouls.

Head coach Jimmy Alapag, who earned his first playoff win, credited the finish to his team’s stops. “I thought down the stretch we made enough plays, especially on the defensive end,” he said.

Alapag Wants Better Rebounding, Fewer Fouls

Alapag, who took over NLEX just days before the conference began, pointed to rebounding and fouling as the main concerns. Phoenix won the boards, 50-42, even without injured frontliners Jason Perkins and Will Gozum.

The former league MVP and national team stalwart said the work is far from done. “The staff and I will take a look at the film, see how we can help the guys, and be better on Wednesday,” he said.

Ricci Rivero led Phoenix with 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists before fouling out with 1:50 left. Kai Ballungay added 20 points and eight rebounds, while Marcellus Earlington had 14 points and 13 rebounds but shot 6-of-19.

Earlington also exited in the final 15 seconds after a flagrant foul penalty against Enoch Valdez, which took away another Phoenix option. Kenneth Tuffin chipped in seven points and 11 rebounds.