NLEX hopes to catch another big fish when it takes on Barangay Ginebra to close out the first round of the Group B eliminations on a high note in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Riding the crest of their stunning overtime victory over the San Miguel Beermen in Cagayan de Oro, the Road Warriors look to add the Kings, another legitimate title contender, in their list of victims at the end of the 7:30 p.m. affair.

Setting the table for the thrilling clash is the 5 p.m. collision between Blackwater (1-3), which is aiming for a fitting follow-up to its breakthrough win, and Phoenix (0-4), which, on the other hand, is still searching for its own first win of the season.

Brimming with confidence surely is NLEX after pushing a full force San Miguel to the limits before emerging victorious at the end of the extra period, 112-108, largely behind huge lifts given by the supporting casts of Robert Bolick and import Myke Henry.

The 3-1 NLEX is also looking to go up only half a game behind league-pacing Rain or Shine and end the first round-robin with back-to-back wins – a momentum it could carry over to the second round.

This also seemed to be the perfect time for the Road Warriors to claim the scalp of the Kings who are looking strangely vulnerable than usual with their 1-2 record to begin the conference.

It was very much evident in Ginebra’s last game where it fell prey to Blackwater, 95-88, for the first time in five years or after winning their last nine matchups since 2019.

Chemistry seems to be the problem still for the Kings as the locals, featuring new pieces from offseason acquisitions, still lacking in contributions to help Justin Brownlee.

Brownlee was trying to carry Ginebra on his shoulders so far, firing 37 points in a losing effort and just days after pouring 51 to give the Kings their first win. Through three games, Japeth Aguilar was the only reliable scorer who provided help to Brownlee.

Meanwhile, like NLEX, Blackwater is hoping to change the tide of its campaign by claiming its second straight win following the huge morale-boosting triumph over Ginebra.

George King introduced himself to the PBA with 33 points and 19 rebounds and he hopes to sustain the fiery showing against a Phoenix side that also has the same element of surprise the Bossing had the last game against the Kings.

The Fuel Masters are set to parade a new import Brandone Francis after being forced to play without one in the 116-99 loss to the Elasto Painters after replacement Le'Bryan Nash measured over the 6-foot-6 height limit.