Manila: NLEX made it another memorable night for rookie coach Jimmy Alapag by dumping Titan Ultra, 135-100, for a 3-0 card in Group A of the PBA Governors' Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo on Tuesday. Schonny Winston scored a career-high 30 points as the Road Warriors went full throttle in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Giant Risers, 38-18.

According to Philippines News Agency, NLEX avoided a near-collapse, like what happened in their 101-100 escape against the Terrafirma Dyip on Sunday. Robert Bolick added 29 points and import DeQuan Jones threw in 22 for NLEX, making Alapag the first rookie coach to start a conference 3-0 since Rain or Shine's Chris Gavina in the 2021 Philippine Cup.

Alapag attributed the victory to the players' contributions, highlighting Bolick and Winston's significant roles. 'I think we're getting a lot of contributions from different guys, obviously,' Alapag said. 'Berto (Bolick) and Schonny are a big part of what we do. I think they're two of the top guards in the league. But I thought their aggressiveness early in the game set the tone.'

The loss was the third in as many games for Titan, despite Tirrell Brown's 27-point, 10-rebound debut. Roi Sumang added 18 points, Joshua Munzon 17, and JB Sajonia 11, but the Giant Risers failed to maintain their third-quarter effort and suffered another lopsided loss after a 74-105 defeat from Converge, also on Sunday.

Titan Ultra had a brief rally, closing the gap to 63-72 in the fourth quarter with contributions from Mark Omega, Munzon, and Sajonia. However, Bolick and Winston led a counterattack that extended the lead to 97-82, with Winston securing the victory with 15 points in the final quarter.

'I told the guys that as we go along this conference, our growth is gonna be a big key . but I thought tonight we did a much better job of being consistent with our gameplan, both offensively and defensively,' Alapag commented, expressing satisfaction with the team's overall performance.

The scores from the first game were: NLEX 135 - Winston 30, Bolick 29, Jones 22, Alas 14, Herndon 7, Gonzales 6, Semerad 6, Valdez 4, Bahio 4, Capulong 4, Gamboa 4, Racal 3, Nieto 2, Ramirez 0, Rodger 0, Torres 0; TITAN ULTRA 100 - Brown 27, Sumang 18, Munzon 17, Omega 7, Dionisio 5, Javillonar 4, Yu 3, Pessumal 2, Amores 2, Ular 2, Ambohot 2, Caralipio 0, Inigo 0, Cuntapay 0.

Quarters: 30-24; 61-43; 97-82; 135-100.