Import Alexander, veteran Taulava lead NLEX to first win in PBA Governors’ Cup
Import Kwame Alexander and veteran center Asi Taulava recorded double-double performances to help the NLEX Road Warriors barge into the win column with a 94-81 win over sister-team Meralco Bolts yesterday in the 40th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
With NLEX’s Iranian import Michael Madanly missing the game due to a neck injury, Alexander and Taulava stepped up big time with the former tallying 29 points and 17 rebounds and the former finishing with 20 markers and 10 boards.
Taulava capitalized on Meralco’s smaller frontline as the Road Warriors picked up their first win after tasting two straight losses to start the season-ending tournament.
“We really planned to put the ball in the post because it’s only Reynel (Hugnatan), (James) Sena guarding Asi,” said Road Warriors coach Boyet Fernandez.
NLEX led throughout the game despite the solid efforts of Meralco’s imports Andre Emmett and Seiya Ando.
Emmett fired 44 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Ando marked his debut in the league with 18 markers.
Emmet and Ando connived in an endgame run but the best the Bolts could was to move within 76-78.
After the Bolts rallied within two, the Road Warrios pulled away by unloading seven unanswered points with KG Canaleta capping the run with a triple that have his team an 83-76 lead.
Canaleta finished with 13 points.
Meralco had no local scoring in double figures, hastening its second defeat in three games.
BOX SCORES
NLEX (91)- Alexander 29, Taulava 20, Canaleta 13, Cardona 9, Ramos 6, Arboleda H. 5, Villanueva J. 4, Villanueva E. 3, Borboran 2, Raymundo 0, Lingganay 0.
MERALCO (84)- Emmett 44, Ando 18, Hodge 6, Sena 4, Ferriols 4, Wilson 2, Anthony 2, David 2, Ildefonso 0, Cortez 0, Guevarra 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 17-16, 40-36, 63-59, 91-84.
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