We’re right in the position where we want to be. We never dreamed about this.
NLEX tries to secure the twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinal round with a win against Magnolia in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup today at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The league-leading Road Warriors (7-1) and the Hotshots (5-4) face off at 6:45 p.m. with the latter eyeing to formalize their entry in the next stage.
In the opener, Meralco (7-2) also seeks a spot in the top four for the bonus as it battles NorthPort (3-5) at 4:30 in the afternoon.
With the loss of TNT KaTropa to Barangay Ginebra Friday night, NLEX is now at solo top spot but head coach Yeng Guiao knows his team has not accomplished anything.
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“We’re right in the position where we want to be. We never dreamed about this. Even in our own dreams we never expected to become the number one team in this conference,” Guiao said.
NLEX has been unbeaten with Manny Harris around.
“But we know that this is very fragile. A mistake could make everything fall apart. This is temporary and fragile. But I hope we can hold on to it as long as we can. What’s important for us is to secure the top four. We’ve never dreamed of being the top seed but if it’s there, we’ll take it,” he added.
NLEX enters the game with a four-game winning streak as the team is coming off a 111-91 demolition of Rain or Shine behind the triple-double performance of Manny Harris, who had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists against the Road Warriors.
Magnolia is also coming off a win against Phoenix, 97-81, with import Romeo Travis dishing out an all-around performance of 20 points, 16 boards and eight dimes while Ian Sangalang came off the bench and contributed 17 markers in the victory.
“They’re the number one team right now and they have a very good import. We’ll try to stop him but their team is not just about their import. We have to stop the whole NLEX team,” Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero said.
“They’re very inspired right now. It’s so hard play against them. Their big-men (JR) Quinahan and (Poy) Erram are playing very well. Especially their guards Kiefer (Ravena) and the others. I think it’s a great match up for us,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Bolts seek their win No. 8 to assure themselves a spot in the top four.
The wards of coach Norman Black are coming off a dominant 92-74 win over Columbian Dyip with Raymond Almazan dishing out his best game as a member of Meralco squad with 18 points and career-high 24 rebounds.
Batang Pier are fighting for their lives as a loss would put them on the brink of elimination.
NorthPort dropped its previous game, 99-106, to Alaska that spoiled the career-game of Christian Standhardinger, who had 37 points and 16 rebounds to match the 35-point, 15-board output of import Michael Qualls.