PBA: NLEX averts meltdown for 2-0 start, keeps Phoenix winless

NLEX squandered a double-digit lead but got its act together in time to gut out a 100-95 victory over struggling Phoenix and remain unbeaten in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Road Warriors, who saw their 23-point lead crumble amidst the Fuel Masters' comeback attempt in the third, showed endgame poise to improve to 2-0 in Group B while the latter dropped to 0-2.

Mychael Henry dropped 21 of his overall output in the first half and finished with a game-high 37 points alongside nine rebounds, five assists, four steals, and one block while Anthony Semerad led the locals with 13 markers, two boards, and one dime.

The duo played a crucial role in their late game rally after Phoenix staged a masterful third quarter, outscoring the Road Warriors 37 to 23 to cut the deficit to single digits before heading to the payoff period, 67-76. Before that, Phoenix at one point trailed by 23, 44-21, in the first half of action.

The Fuel Masters even took an 87-84 lead behind the efforts of Javee Mocon, Jason Perkins, and RR Garcia, whose booming four-point shot with 2:37 left gave Phoenix a 92-89 cushion.

But Henry took charge, completing a three-point play then sank two charities for a 94-92 NLEX lead followed by a Semerad layup in the final minute. JJ Alejandro missed back-to-back attempts from downtown as Henry put the finishing kick for the Road Warriors.

Garcia showed the way for Phoenix with 18 points while Jayveous McKinnis and Perkins chipped in 15 and 13 markers apiece.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News