NLEX officially handed new coach Frankie Lim his first win at the helm after pulling off a 110-101 upset of TNT on Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Import Earl Clark fired 45 points in a sterling effort as the Road Warriors not only snapped a two-game skid, but finally made Lim a winner since he was tapped the fill the coaching post left by Yeng Guiao before the start of the conference.
“It means a lot for us, especially after two losses,” said Lim.
Lim was already holding Road Warriors practice when assistant Adonis Tierra steered the team to two victories on an interim basis to open the midseason conference.
But NLEX absorbed defeats to Phoenix and Magnolia, and Lim admitted that his odds of getting a breakthrough win with TNT being the second in a stretch of three tough games.
Kevin Alas, who topscored with 24 points, Don Trollano, Matt Nieto and bruiser Mike Miranda also contributed in the victory that improved NLEX’s record to 3-2 for third in the standings.
TNT dropped to 2-2 despite 26 points and 22 rebounds from import Cameron Oliver.
The Tropang Giga were coming off lopsided triumphs over NorthPort and Rain or Shine.
The Scores:
NLEX 110 — Clark 45, Alas 24, Trollano 16, Nieto 12, Miranda 9, Rosales 3, Chua 1, Varilla 0, Fonacier 0, Celda 0, Magat 0.
TNT 101 — Oliver 26, Pogoy 19, Williams M. 16, Oftana 11, Erram 10, Castro 8, Montalbo 6, Williams K. 5, Tungcab 0, Alejandro 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0
Quarters: 26-15, 49-45, 74-77, 110-101.
