NLEX settles for fourth after bowing to Incheon

The Elephants held on to their lead for most of the fourth quarter and kept the Road Warriors at bay, although the latter still put up a fight down the stretch. (Photo: Asian League/Facebook)

MANILA — NLEX missed out on the podium in the Asia Summer Super 8 tournament after losing to Incheon-ET Land, 62-67, in the battle for third at the Macao East Asian Games Dome in Macau on Sunday night.

The Elephants held on to their lead for most of the fourth quarter and kept the Road Warriors at bay, although the latter still put up a fight down the stretch.

Down, 56-65, with 1:42 left, NLEX went on a 6-0 run to draw within, 62-65, with 10 seconds left.

Mike Miranda, however, was slapped for an unsportsmanlike foul on Kim Nak-Hyeon, and Kim made both his free throws with seven seconds to go to ice the game.

Jeong Hyo-Geun led Incheon with 13 points, six rebounds, one assist, two steals, and two blocks, while Hong Gyeong-Ki added 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Miranda and Juami Tiongson each made 12 markers for NLEX.