The NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao explained that it was the roster’s problem of lacking during the early play and referred to their losing game against Phoenix last Christmas.

“Starting out strong has been our battle cry ever since we lost to Phoenix,” he said.

“We started out badly in that game. We tried to remedy that situation. Every game, we came in, it was really our focus that we were able to start well especially defensively.”

NLEX did not waste its time and dominated the early game led by Kj Mcdaniels’ 27 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks.

With a quarter left on the shot clock, the Aces tried to clutch the game by trying to close the 27 points gap into half in the last quarter but Jericho Cruz’s three consecutive three-pointers sealed NLEXl’s win.

The game ended in favor of NLEX with 17 points advantage.

The Scores

NLEX 106 – McDaniels 27, Cruz 21, Alas 19, Trollano 10, Ighalo 6, Soyud 5, Nieto 5, Rosales 5, Porter 4, Murrell 2, Magat 2, Varilla 0, Quiñahan 0

Alaska 89 – Tratter 17, Ashaolu 14, Teng 9, Bulanadi 8, Digregorio 7, Racal 7, Faundo 6, Herndon 6, Ilagan 4, Taha 4, Ahanmisi 3, Adamos 2, Tolomia 2, Stockton 0, Marcelino 0

Quarters: 38-17, 58-42, 88-61, 106-89