By Adrian Stewart Co

The NLEX Road Warriors nearly wasted a double-digit lead before hanging on to secure a 105-99 win over the Meralco Bolts last night in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
JR Quinahan caught fire from outside with five triples to finish with 19 points for NLEX, while Oluseyi Ashaoulu earned a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, Kiefer Ravena and Kenneth Ighalo each dished out 15 markers, Larry Fonacier contributed 12, and Jericho Cruz – 11.
From a seesaw battle in the first period, NLEX created distance in the second and built a 55-46 halftime edge. Their lead later grew to 70-55 in the third on triples by Quinahan, along with inside shots from Ighalo and Cruz.
NLEX then saw its widest lead of 83-63 off back-to-back treys by Ravena and Pedrito Galanza but, in the fourth, Allen Durham and Raymond Almazan led Meralco on their final push and cut their deficit to 100-96.
After seeing their 20-point edge diminished, NLEX delivered back-to-back layups from Ilonggo players Cruz and Ravena before Ashaoulu sealed the win with a free throw./ASC, WDJ