NLEX overcame some tense moments in the waning seconds and held on to a 93-90 escape over TNT in a frantic finish in Game 2 of their quarterfinals series in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna on Friday, Sept. 27.

The Road Warriors dodged huge bullets in the final possession of the Tropang Giga as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson botched crucial free throws down the stretch, allowing NLEX to get away and even the best-of-five series to 1-1.

With NLEX only up by four, the reigning best import actually had the chance to send the game to an extra period with four free throws after getting fouled taking the four-pointer by Javee Mocon with three ticks left in the contest.

He calmly sank the first two free throws but botched the third, missing the chance to tie the score. Out of desperation, Hollis-Jefferson intentionally missed the last one to get another chance but he was called for a loose ball foul and turned the ball over.

Mocon made up for his careless foul on that possession and iced the game with a free throw for NLEX.

DeQuan Jones starred for NLEX with 38 points – 22 of which he poured in the second half, including five straight points that restored order for the Road Warriors when the Tropang Giga momentarily took the lead, 85-82, with three minutes left.

He added 12 rebounds, a steal and a block to his name with Robert Bolick, after shaking off a rough start, backstopping him with 16 points and five assists. Robbie Herndon was NLEX's next best scorer with eight but contributed well on the rebounding department with 11 boards.

Hollis-Jefferson remained a workhorse for TNT with 22 points and 22 rebounds – none bigger than the one he grabbed off his own free throw miss that led to him getting fouled for the four more free throws.

Jayson Castro and RR Pogoy had 19 apiece while Rey Nambatac finished with 11 as TNT failed to take a 2-0 lead in the series that is now reduced to a virtual best-of-three affair.

The Scores : 

NLEX 93 – Jones 38, Bolick 16, Herndon 8, Amer 6, Valdez 5, Rodger 4, Policarpio 4, Anthony 4, Nermal 3, Mocon 3, Miranda 2, Semerad 0, Nieto 0, Torres 0 

TNT 90 – Hollis-Jefferson 22, Castro 19, Pogoy 19, Nambatac 11, Oftana 9, Aurin 6, Khobuntin 2, Williams 2, Galinato 0, Heruela 0, Reyes 0, Erram 0.

QUARTERS : 24-21, 40-40, 69-64, 93-90