NLEX Road Warriors out to ‘repair’ Philippine Cup bid
HAVING seen their promising start to the PBA Philippine Cup do an about-face of late, the NLEX Road Warriors are out to do some “repair” and get back on the winning track when they hit the court anew today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After winning two straight to open their campaign in the seasonopening conference of the Philippine Basketball Association ( PBA), the Road Warriors ( 2- 3) have slumped to three losses in a row, sending them a couple of rungs back in the race.
It is a trend they hope to stop when they collide with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their matinee match at 4:30 p.m. to get back in the swing of things and put themselves on better footing to compete moving forward.
The most recent of the losses of Yeng Guiao- coached NLEX was dealt by the defending champions San Miguel Beermen, 109- 98, last Friday in a match that was highly competitive that turned chippy in the end.
The Road Warriors fought well throughout the contest, keeping in step with the Beermen and even taking control in various points.
They, however, would lose their grip on the game down the stretch as San Miguel started to put added muscle to its push.
It did not help either that during that key stretch NLEX seemingly lost focus with big man Michael Miranda being ejected by kicking San Miguel guard Chris Ross on the groin.
Even Mr. Guiao had a fiery verbal altercation with Mr. Ross late in the game.
Rookie Kiefer Ravena led the NLEX thrust against San Miguel with 15 points to go along with six assists and two blocks.
Alex Mallari, JR Quiñahan and Raul Soyud had 12 points each while Mr. Miranda had 10 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks before being sent off the court.
“We have to fix our problems on both ends of the court. It must be a team effort for us as we adjust,” said Mr. Guiao as he made his assessment of the struggles they are currently having.
Out to keep NLEX with its struggles is Rain or Shine (2-3), itself still on shaky ground in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Elasto Painters are coming off a tough 98- 94 loss at the hands of the tailending Kia Picanto last Saturday and are itching to make up for it.
Rain or Shine pretty much had control of the game versus Kia but lost steps in the second half that proved to be costly.
Rookie Rey Nambatac led the Elasto Painters with 12 points, while veteran James Yap added 11 points.
Chris Tiu and Jewel Ponferada each had 10 points for Rain or Shine.
Incidentally, both NLEX and Rain or Shine will be missing the services of key players in today’s game.
The Road Warriors will be sans Mr. Miranda while the Elasto Painters will be without Raymond Almazan.
The two were meted onegame suspensions by the league — Mr. Miranda over the Ross incident in their last game and Mr. Almazan for the physical altercation he had with Kia’s Eric Camson also in their last game.
Meanwhile in the main game at 7 p.m., skidding teams Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings ( 2- 2) and Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters (2-3) take on each other.