NLEX gave reigning PBA Philippine Cup champion Barangay Ginebra a rude welcome after cruising to a 94-75 victory at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Sunday, July 18.

Kevin Alas shone off the bench with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting to go with 3 assists as the Road Warriors bounced back from their conference-opening loss two days ago and spoiled the Gin Kings’ debut.

NLEX also drew a prolific performance from Kiefer Ravena, who chalked up 19 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds.

Coming off its first All-Filipino title in more than a decade last season, Ginebra entered the season as the team to beat, especially with the addition of Christian Standhardinger following a trade from NorthPort.

But the Road Warriors put their clamps on Standhardinger, who finished with 8 points and 10 rebounds, as they pulled away in the third quarter en route to a 19-point win.

Leading by only 9 points midway through the third quarter, 59-50, NLEX broke the game wide open with an 11-0 run capped by an Anthony Semerad triple for its biggest lead of the game.

The Gin Kings got to within 11 points in the final salvo only to witness Ravena and Alas take turns offensively to seal the Road Warriors’ triumph.

Don Trollano had 11 points and 7 rebounds in the win, Semerad put up 11 points on a perfect 3-of-3 clip from long range, while JR Quinahan added a double-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

Japeth Aguilar topscored for Ginebra with 15 points and 5 rebounds, while Scottie Thompson saw his near-triple-double of 12 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 blocks go to waste.

Reigning Best Player of the Conference Stanley Pringle had a quiet performance with 8 points against 4 turnovers in the loss.

The Scores

NLEX 94 – Alas 20, Ravena 19, Trollano 11, Semerad 11, Quinahan 10, Cruz 9, Soyud 7, Miranda 5, Oftana 2, Porter 0, McAloney 0.

Barangay Ginebra 75 – Aguilar 15, Thompson 12, Tenorio 11, Standhardinger 9, Pringle 8, Caperal 8, Chan 4, Devance 3, Tolentino 2, Enriquez 2, Ayaay 2, Dillinger 0, Salado 0.

Quarters: 26-15, 41-35, 72-55, 94-75.

– Rappler.com