WATCH: June Mar Fajardo Highlights [San Miguel vs NLEX | Nov. 15, 2023]

After losing a won ballgame in its PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup opener, NLEX bounced back strong and ended up with the victory this time around.

Staring at a 19-point deficit, the Road Warriors battled back and pulled off a 117-113 overtime thriller against debuting San Miguel on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

It was a swift turnaround for NLEX, which only five nights earlier blew a 16-point lead and lost to a hard-fighting Phoenix side, 101-113, that rode Jayjay Alejandro’s fourth-quarter barrage.

In a reversal of script, the Road Warriors relied on Kris Rosales’ 5-triple explosion and Thomas Robinson’s perseverance in the payoff period to hold the Beermen to a 105-105 tie at the end of regulation.

Kevin Alas produced the game-winning basket in the extra period, with Tony Semerad providing ample support.

Robinson led the way for NLEX (1-1) with 42 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, and 8 turnovers while Alas finished with 18, 6 of which came in overtime.

The Frankie Lim-mentored squad negated the 28-point outburst of Terrence Romeo, who was making his return for San Miguel after an extended amount of time on the injured list.

CJ Perez (25) and June Mar Fajardo (22-16) also had big games for the Beermen, while debuting import Ivan Aska managed to contribute 21 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out halfway through the final frame.