Ilonggo guard Jericho Cruz drained the go-ahead basket to complete the NLEX Road Warriors’ comeback from 26 points down to score an 86-85 win over the Magnolia Hotshots in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup last Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
NLEX started flat and were forced to climb back in the third with inside hits by Manny Harris, along with triples from Ilonggo guard Kiefer Ravena and Cruz, to cut their deficit to 71-57 heading into the final period.
In the fourth, NLEX pulled even closer with Harris, Ravena, and Cruz earning a 79-76 lead. Magnolia replied with their final run and regained an 85-83 edge on five straight points by Paul Lee.
Cruz then drained a fall away basket from a missed free throw by Ravena to put NLEX on top with a second left to play./ASC, WDJ