NLEX outlasts Brgy. Ginebra in OT

Dequan Jones delivered a stellar performance, scoring 44 points to propel NLEX into the quarterfinals, overcoming Barangay Ginebra with a hard-fought 103-99 victory in overtime on Sunday during the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
With this impressive win, Jones not only secured the Road Warriors a coveted spot in the playoffs but also solidified their position as the No. 4 seed in Group B.
The Gin Kings felt the absence of Justin Brownlee during the crucial final three minutes of overtime, and NLEX capitalized on this opportunity. Earlier, Brownlee had spearheaded Ginebra’s rally from a seven-point deficit in regulation, ultimately forcing the game into overtime.
Once Brownlee exited, Jones seized control of the game, sinking a pivotal three-pointer with 2:17 remaining in overtime to give NLEX a 101-96 advantage that they deftly maintained until the final buzzer.
NLEX improved to a 5-5 record and secured the fourth seed, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming Blackwater versus Rain or Shine match on Monday.
The Road Warriors exhibited resilience, nearly relinquishing a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter with only two minutes left in regulation, as Ginebra mounted a late surge capped by Brownlee’s emphatic dunk with 32.3 seconds remaining.
Jones showcased his shooting prowess, converting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, including a crucial three that pushed NLEX ahead 89-84, followed by another that extended their lead to 92-85, helping to offset his earlier foul troubles.
Robert Bolick contributed significantly with 16 points and 11 assists, while Anthony Semerad added 12 points and six rebounds for the Road Warriors.
For the Gin Kings, Brownlee recorded a commendable 26 points and 12 rebounds before succumbing to cramps, while Japeth Aguilar chipped in with 22 points and nine rebounds. Ginebra’s loss dropped their record to 6-4, positioning them as the No. 3 seed in Group B.
Semerad ignited the overtime period with back-to-back three-pointers, giving NLEX a 98-94 lead, setting the stage for Jones’ clutch shot that further solidified their advantage.
NLEX clinched consecutive victories to secure their playoff berth in a game where they initially held a 10-point lead at 31-21, despite Jones grappling with foul trouble. Ginebra, however, fought back in the second quarter, outscoring NLEX 22-13 to keep the contest tightly contested.
The scores:
NLEX 103 – Jones 44, Bolick 16, Semerad 12, Valdez 8, Policarpio 6, Torres 6, Amer 4, Mocon 3, Rodger 2, Miranda 2.
Brgy. Ginebra 99 – Brownlee 26, J. Aguilar 22, Ahanmisi 15, Abarrientos 14, Thompson 12, Holt 7, Pinto 3, Cu 0, Adamos 0, Tenorio 0, R. Aguilar 0.
Quarterscores: 26-21, 39-43, 71-68, 92-92, 103-99.