Jeff Morial scored the go-ahead lay-up, then came up a crucial steal in the waning moments of the match to tow the Pharex Bidang Generix to a 79-74 upset win over the favored North Luzon Expressway Road Warriors in the PBA D-League Tuesday at the Far Eastern University gym. Morial finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in a solid all-around game.
The former College of Saint Benilde standout made a fastbreak lay-up with 1:51 to go, giving the Bidang Generix the lead, 73-72. Morial capped his heroics with a steal off Calvin Abueva that led to an Edwin Asoro basket.
"We were very fortunate that the bounces and the rebounds went our way," said Pharex coach Carlo Tan. "We were able to attack because the breaks went our way."
Tan also credited Morial for his work ethic.
"He puts extra effort in practice and during weekends. He works with a strength and conditioning coach. He played much better (against NLEX) compared to our first game," said Tan.
After NLEX found itself trailing at the half, 32-37, the Road Warriors elevated their game a notch higher, with Eric Salamat leading the charge. The former Ateneo stalwart’s triple gave the Road Warriors the lead, 43-42, and his team held on to a 60-59 edge at the end of the third quarter.
Both teams would exchange leads, with Clifford Hodge knocking in a short jumper, 72-71, to give NLEX the lead again with 2:43 left in the game.
But that was the last time the Road Warriors tasted the lead, as the do-it-all Morial and Bidang Generix stepped up from there.
JR Tecson had 11 points, Jason Deutchman contributed 10 points, 11 rebounds and two steals, and Asoro chipped in nine points and four blocks for the Bidang Generix.
Abueva had 17 points and 14 rebounds while Salamat had 12 points for NLEX.
In the first game, Maynilad blitzed to a 24-9 lead and never looked back in easily defeating Max! Bond Super Glue, 82-61.
Garvo Lanete had 22 points while Sudan Daniel had 19 markers, seven rebounds and four blocks as the Water Dragons recovered from their 78-70 loss to Cobra Energy Drink in the league opener last March 12 with an emphatic victory over Max!
"Naninibago pa 'yung mga bata pero as we go along, they will peak eventually," said Maynilad coach Frankie Lim.
The Sumos cut the deficit to 10 points at the half, 45-35, on former FEU stalwart Reil Cervantes' second-quarter effort, but the Water Dragons pulled away in the third and even led by as high as 24 points at 68-44.
Reuben Terrado, GMa News TV
