The NLEX Road Warriors got taken to the brink by the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Sunday but survived with a 97-92 win in the end to start their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on a winning note at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
What Happened?
Dismissed by most pundits, the Fuel Masters kept in lockstep with the Road Warriors in the opening frame, with Kai Ballungay firing 10 early points and Bryan Santos adding 5 late in the quarter. After one, Phoenix was within 29-26 of the Deonte Burton-led NLEX side. The Road Warriors were still only ahead, 37-36, at the 8:06 mark of the second before outscoring the Fuel Masters, 19-12, the rest of the way to enter halftime up, 56-48.
Ballungay continued his stellar play in the third, adding 7 more points to his total, while Ricci Rivero and Gian Mamuyac got into the act as well. With contributions from multiple fronts, Phoenix chopped that eight-point halftime deficit to four, 77-73, going into the final frame. The fourth canto continued to be a nip-and-tuck battle, with Phoenix getting to within one, 90-89, with just 3:41 remaining. NLEX, though, displayed nerves of steel, making huge stops and manufacturing just enough points to hold on for the 97-92 victory and the series lead.
Who Stood Out?
Burton proved to be a handful in his PBA playoff debut, filling the stat sheet with 27 points on 8-for-14 shooting on top of 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. Robert Bolick, meanwhile, was a steadying force all game long as he finished with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
For Phoenix, Rivero carried much of the load, particularly in the second half, as he tallied 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists before fouling out late in regulation. Ballungay was superb as well, firing 20 points to go along with 8 rebounds and an 8-for-14 clip overall.
3 Keys to the Game
- Endgame poise. In a game where Phoenix won many of the statistical battles, NLEX displayed enough composure down the stretch to make all the right plays on both ends, including making the insurance free throws. The Road Warriors also avoided making costly mental lapses, unlike the flagrant foul Phoenix’s Marcellus Earlington committed on Enoch Valdez with 15 ticks left and the Fuel Masters down by just two, 94-92.
- Shooting. One area the Fuel Masters lost was shooting as NLEX shot 47.3% overall and 37% from downtown. Phoenix, in contrast, finished at 39.5% overall and a measly 25.8% from distance. A few more makes from the Fuel Masters and Game 1 could’ve ended differently.
- Burton and Bolick. NLEX had safety blankets in Burton and Bolick, who came up big every time the Road Warriors needed something positive, whether it was a basket, an assist, or a defensive stop.
Next Up for the PBA: Quarterfinals
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | Smart Araneta Coliseum
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. Converge FiberXers (5:15 p.m.)
San Miguel Beermen vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (7:30 p.m.)
