Jonathon Simmons, Kevin Alas spark NLEX late in rout of Blackwater

Import Jonathon Simmons quickly proved his worth as he connived with Kevin Alas late to power NLEX to a convincing 124-102 win over Blackwater in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Simmons nailed five easy points in the fourth quarter as NLEX zoomed to a four-point lead, 91-87, in the fourth.

But Alas proved just as crucial in that stretch as the former Letran standout dropped 10 points, including a huge triple, to send the Road Warriors to a more comfortable 108-98 advantage with 4:48 left to play.

He then dropped seven more after that juncture as NLEX built a 122-102 lead that was too much for the Bossing to overcome.

Simmons, who previously had stints with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers, made his debut with 32 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and two steals while Alas came off the bench with 31 markers, eight boards, and four dimes.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser chipped in 21 points while Anthony Semerad and Matt Nieto chimed in with 15 and 12 apiece.

Shawn Glover paced Blackwater with a team-high 26 points, seven assists, and five rebounds while Ato Ular delivered a double-double off the bench with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

NLEX went 1-0 to open its campaign in the season-ending conference while Blackwater dropped to 0-1.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News