WITH former NBA player Jonathon Simmons around, NLEX is on a roll.

Simmons scored 38 points to power NLEX to its fourth straight win with a thrilling 98-94 victory over Phoenix Super LPG in the PBA Governor’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Simmons, who is set to leave NLEX to honor a previous commitment in China, went 12-of-21 shooting from the floor while adding seven rebounds and five assists lin 45 minutes of action.

Anthony Semerad added 16 points and seven rebounds for the Road Warriors of coach Frankie Lim.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had 14 points and six rebounds and Don Trollano chipped in 11 markers and seven boards for NLEX, which joined Converge in the early lead with perfect 4-0 records.

Import Du’vaughn Maxwell led the Fuel Masters’ losing effort with a double-double performance of 25 points on 11-of-18 shooting, 11 rebounds and seven assists in 45 minutes on the floor.

Jason Perkins added 17 points and 13 rebounds, while RJ Jazul had 13 points for coach Jamike Jarin.

Tyler Tio contributed with 11 points.

Phoenix dropped to 1-4 win-loss record.

NLEX’s next assignment will be against Ginebra on Feb. 8 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Phoenix will meet Magnolia.

The scores:

First game

NLEX (98) — Simmons 38, Semerad 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Trollano 11, Alas 9, Rosales 4, Anthony 3, Pascual 2, Nieto 1
Phoenix (94) — Maxwell 25, Perkins 17, Jazul 13, Tio 11, Manganti 8, Muyang 6, Lalata 4, Garcia 4, Soyud 4, Lojera 2, Adamos 0, Alejandro 0, Serrano 0, Camacho 0.
Quarterscores: 32-23, 52-49, 76-73, 98-94.

Second game

Meralco (125) – Maliksi 30, McDaniels 24, Black 19, Caram 18, Newsome 9, Pascual 6, Banchero 5, Almazan 4, Quinto 3, Hodge 2, Pasaol 0, Hugnatan 0
Blackwater (99) – Glover 20, Ilagan 15, Amer 14, Casio 13, Rosario 11, Ular 8, Sena 6, Ayonayon 4, DiGregorio 4, Torralba 2, Taha 2, Banal 0, McCarthy 0, Hill 0
Quarterscores: 31-22, 67-50, 91-78, 125-99.