NLEX dumps Cebuana Lhuillier in Game 1

THE NLEX Road Warriors stepped closer towards the first title in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup as they crushed the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, 74-62, in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals series yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

Ronald Pascual scored 19 points and John Raymundo sparked a 17-7 run in the second quarter that gave the Road Warrior comfortable halftime lead that held up the rest of the way.

NLEX can clinch the title with another win tomorrow. Game 2 of the best-of-three series is scheduled at 3 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

NLEX was up two after the first quarter before the two teams went on a scoreless spell over a three-minute stretch in the second.

Raymundo seized the moment. He completed a three-point play, scored on a pull-up jumper and fed Pascual for three-point shot to spark a fiery charge by the Road Warriors, who built a 36-24 advantage at halftime.

Undoubtedly, defense was the key. NLEX held Cebuana Lhuillier to just 2-of-16 shooting in the second quarter.

Oggie Menor scored 14, and Clifford Hodge added 10 and seven shot blocks for the NLEX, which shot 44 percent for the field.

After a five-point first half, Cebuana Lhuillier’s Allein Maliksi got his game going in the second and eventually led all scorers with 21 points. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio