NLEX built a huge lead in the first half before warding off Rain or Shine's second half rally to hammer out a 110-99 win to clinch a playoff spot in the 2022-23 PBA Governors' Cup on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Road Warriors collected a game-high 28 points from Kevin Alas, import Wayne Selden had 21 and 10 rebounds, while Don Trollano added 20 as they improved to 6-3, formalizing their quarterfinal entry in the process.

NLEX led by as many as 29 points in the opening half after getting off to a 10-0 lead as the team never look back.

Rey Nambatac led Rain or Shine with 26 points, leading his team's furious rally as they came to within 97-104 inside the last 86 seconds. But that was the closest the Elasto Painters could get.

NLEX coach Frankie Lim said turnovers allowed ROS to come close.

'It was just our turnovers that hurt us in the second half,' said Lim. 'I was so happy in the first half that we won in rebounding. I think we lost again in the second half. That's the key. Once we control the boards, we can do what we want.'

ROS dropped its second straight game and fell to 2-6 overall.

Import Greg Smith only scored three points after playing just 15 minutes in total.