Road Warriors eye good start in PH Cup

NORTHERN Luzon Expressway (NLEX) head coach Yeng Guiao is aiming for a good start in the coming Philippine Basketball Association Season 43 Philippine Cup as his wards take on Kia on December 20 at The Arena in San Juan City.

The seven-time champion mentor said headway in the early part of the tournament gives a team an advantage and the chance to assess the competition.

“I think the key is for our team to able to start well. If you win two or three in a row, that will be big as it will help you assess the competition,” said Guiao during the launching of NLEX’s new logo on Monday night in Balintawak, Caloocan City.

Last season, the Road Warriors had a forgettable Philippine Cup, They ended up with the same record in the Commissioner’s Cup stint in the Governors’ Cup.

Guiao said NLEX is now 70 percent ready and hopes to be at full strength comes their opening game.

The Road Warriors tabbed Kiefer Ravena in the rookie draft—a good addition especially that Kevin Alas is not yet 100 percent ready.

“The team is generally healthy except Kevin who has still problems with his shoulder and JR ( Quinahan) with his heel although he played in the pocket tournament,” said Guiao.

Besides Ravena, NLEX also signed up center Michael Miranda and the team is in talks with free agents Ronjay Buenafe and Jonathan Uyloan.

Guiao believes the team is ready to reach greater heights this season Taulava, now 44, the Road Warriors are ready to navigate the road

“You’ve got to believe that you get there,” said Taulava. “Coach will trade all of us or get rid of us if I tell you that we don’t believe. We just have to keep on believing until the end of the season. We are looking forward to knock off the elite teams.”

After Kia, NLEX will face GlobalPort on Christmas Day at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.