MARK CARDONA came off the bench and provided the needed spark for NLEX, which pulled off a come-from-behind 113-102 victory over Alaska to get back on track for a quarterfinal berth in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Cardona anchored the Road Warriors’ 15-4 run late in the third period to help put his team back after the Aces built an 81-68 cushion.
NLEX snapped a two-game skid and improved to 2-4 won-lost.
“We’re happy to get this one,” said Road Warriors Head Coach Boyet Fernandez, who drew solid games from imports Kwame Alexander and Michel Mandaly.
“His [Madanly] presence on the floor energizes the team,” added Fernandez as his Syrian reinforcement played sparingly due to a neck injury.
Alexander finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Madanly had an all-around effort with 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists and was responsible for NLEX’s hot start that saw them post a 30-18 lead.
But Alaska, behind import Romeo Travis and Cyrus Baguio, rallied and built a 13-point lead twice in the third period, the last at 81-68, before Fernandez inserted Cardona, who trimmed the lead to 83-85 entering the fourth period.
The Aces were still in the game after Romeo’s two charities, 96-99, but NLEX responded with a 10-3 run capped by Cardona’s two free throws to put the game away, 109-99, with under two minutes remaining.
Asi Taulava had a double-double for the Road Warriors with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Cardona finished with 15 markers in 17 minutes.
Romeo had a game-high 31 points for Alaska, which failed to join Barako Bull (5-1) at No. 1 spot as the Aces fell to 4-2.
Image credits: Kevin de la Cruz