NLEX finally rediscovered its winning ways and clobbered also-ran Phoenix, 104-79, to keep an inside track on the last quarterfinals berth in Group B of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, Sept. 20.

On a four-game losing skid and in danger of missing the playoffs if it continues, the Road Warriors displayed a sense of urgency and built a sizable advantage in the first half to quickly take the fight out of the Fuel Masters.

Import Dequan Jones, Enoch Valdez and Robert Bolick provided the tip of the spear to NLEX's opening frame assault that set the tone for the rout.

The Road Warriors led 30-17 at the end of the first 10 minutes and ballooned to 54-37 at the break. NLEX further padded the lead in the third and reached as high as 33 as Phoenix never really got into a run enough to trim the huge margin.

NLEX, not only arrested the slide, but picked up the much-needed win that improved its record to a 4-5 slate just in time to keep its lead against fellow playoff-chasing Blackwater which sits at the fifth spot with a 3-5 count.

Jones led the way with 27 points and seven rebounds while Bolick had his share with 19 points, nine assists and five rebounds.

Baser Amer chipped in 14 while Valdez scored all of his 10 points in the first quarter.

Sean Manganti paced Phoenix with 13 points while Tyler Tio added 12. Jason Perkin added 11 points and seven rebounds but were not enough to make up for lackluster showing of import Brandone Francis who only had four points in 16 minutes of play.

The Fuel Masters ended the conference with a 1-9 record at the bottom of Group B.