MANILA — The NLEX Road Warriors snapped their three-game losing streak, handing the once-highly regarded Star Hotshots another crushing defeat, 88-85, in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Import Henry Walker kept his cool all night long despite getting his usual share of hard fouls, posting a team-high of 32 points plus 11 rebounds to lead the Road Warriors to their second win in five games. Garvo Lanete added 15 points, Asi Taulava had 10 markers and 13 boards, while Jonas Villanueva chipped in 10 points. New Hotshots import Joel Wright, who replaced Marcus Blakely, debuted in the PBA with 28 points and 15 rebounds, but his impressive performance wasn't enough to prevent Star from falling to a 1-4 win-loss card. Phoenix 100, Mahindra 94 The Phoenix Fuel Masters overhauled a 20-point second quarter deficit to beat the Mahindra Enforcers, 100-94, dealing the erstwhile Governors' Cup leader its first loss in five games. The loss sent Mahindra into a tie with Barangay Ginebra for second to third spot in the standings, leaving TNT KaTropa alone at the top with a 4-0 mark. Cyrus Baguio and Mark Borboran scored crucial baskets in the endgame that gave the Fuel Masters enough boost to notch their second win in five outings. Baguio, the former Alaska ace, scored seven of his 22 points in the final quarter, including a midrange jumper that gave the Fuel Masters a 95-92 lead with a little over a minute left. Borboran also waxed hot for Phoenix, scoring all but two of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, including four on a crucial four-point play. Import Eugene Phelps still led the Fuel Masters with 23 points and 21 boards despite sitting out the last few minutes of the game due to cramps. Ever reliable James White paced Mahindra with 24 points and 12 boards. Aldrech Ramos scored 18 markers while KG Canaleta added 10. Buoyed by the euphoria of their surprising 4-0 start in the tournament, the Enforcers appeared on their way to snag another win as they erected an imposing 20-point lead, 34-14, in the second quarter. But the Fuel Masters suddenly caught fire, launching a 21-3 run capped by a buzzer-beating triple by their Asian import Lee Gwan Hee to cut Mahindra's lead to 45-44, at the half. The two teams fought tooth and nail in the second half until the final minutes when Baguio and Borboran played a two-man wrecking crew for Phoenix. Games Saturday: Blackwater Elite (1-3) vs. TNT KaTropa (4-0) and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (2-2) vs. Alaska Aces (1-3).
