Aspirants Cup: NLEX forces deciding Game 3

The NLEX Road Warriors controlled the first three quarters then survived the Big Chill Superchargers' huge fight back to take Game Two, 69-62, Thursday to set a do-or-die match-up for a finals berth in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena. Ian Sangalang accounted for 21 points and eight rebounds while Ryan Roose Garcia chipped in 15 markers, as the Road Warriors' dynamic duo combined for 11 points in the fourth period to put an end to Big Chill’s comeback try. NLEX led by as much as 24 points, 51-27, in the third quarter, but Big Chill went on a furious rally with the Superchargers grabbing the upper hand on Raymond Maconocido’s three-point play with four minutes left in the game, 57-56. Sangalang, however, ended Big Chill’s hopes capping off an 8-0 run to wrest control of the lead for good. "Even though Big Chill went up by one point, the boys never gave up. I credit the guys for playing very well after losing by a big margin in Game 1," said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. Game One was forgettable for the Road Warriors, losing to the Superchargers, 83-66, but last conference's champs got back big right from the start of the second match of the series. The Road Warriors zoomed to a 21-9 lead at the end of the first canto and kept their big lead in the second with a 41-20 edge. The Superchargers hung tough in the third though as they finally got their game going, chopping the deficit to 10, 53-43. NLEX scored just three points in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, while Big Chill began to inch their way closer. Maconocido finally got Big Chill the lead with a short jumper off the glass for a three-point play before Sangalang and Garcia combined for all the points in NLEX’s last big run for a 64-57 lead. Game Three is scheduled on Tuesday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City. — AD/JVP, GMA News