PBA: Jericho Cruz follow-up completes NLEX’s comeback victory over Magnolia

By Jonas Terrado

ANTIPOLO CITY — Jericho Cruz scored a follow-up with one second left as NLEX completed another huge comeback Sunday to stun defending champion Magnolia 86-85 and clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center here.

Cruz converted the winning basket after Kiefer Ravena missed a second free throw that would have tied the score at 85-all as the Road Warriors capped off a huge turnaround after being down by 26 points to remain on top of the standings with an 8-1 record.

NLEX’s rally came more than a month after erasing a 28-point deficit to escape with a 113-111 overtime win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Dubai.

“To pull through in those two games behind by 20-plus points, almost given up and still win the game and do it twice, baka may tama na rin kaming ginagawa,” said Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao.

Import Manny Harris scored 22 points, JR Quinahan posted 14 points and eight rebounds and Cruz added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists for three assists in the win.

Paul Lee hit a pair of big shots in the final minute for 24 points but the Hotshots dropped to an even 5-5 record.

Lee’s three put Magnolia ahead 83-80 with 35.0 remaining but Harris answered for NLEX by draining a three of his own, seven seconds later.

Lee used Ian Sangalang’s pick to get by Harris and Poy Erram to convert a layup for 85-83 Magnolia, 11.8 to go. Quinahan missed a go-ahead three on the next play before Cruz forced Hotshots import Romeo Travis to a jumpball.

Travis later argued that Cruz should have been called for a foul after an apparent elbow that sent the Magnolia reinforcement to the ground.

NLEX retained possession and Ravena was fouled by Mark Barroca with Magnolia in penalty, 2.3 ticks left. Ravena made the first one but missed the second try which led to Poy Erram failing to convert a tip-in.

But Cruz was at the right place and the right time and was able to retrieve the ball for the winning score.

The scores:

NLEX 86 — Harris 22, Quinahan 14, Cruz 13, Erram 7, Ravena 7, Galanza 6, Paniamogan 5, Soyud 4, Ighalo 4, Miranda 4, Baguio 0, Fonacier 0.

MAGNOLIA 85 — Lee 24, Sangalang 19, Travis 13, Barroca 10, Banchero 7, Pingris 5, Melton 4, Abundo 3, Reavis 0, Dela Rosa 0.

Quarters: 16-39; 29-51; 57-71; 86-85.

Source: Manila Bulletin