NLEX will be banking on National Basketball Association veteran Thomas Robinson when the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup fires off on 5 November at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Road Warriors coach Frankie Lim said they found a gem in Robinson, giving him hopes of winning their first title in the season-opening conference.

Lim, who will enter his first full season with the Road Warriors, said the 32-year-old Robinson is good as advertised with an impressive resume that includes stints with six NBA teams since being taken fifth by the Sacramento Kings in the 2012 NBA Draft.

"He has a strong body. He works well in the paint and he scores a lot," Lim told Daily Tribune at the sidelines of the press launch of the league's 48th season.

"I think he could help us in rebounding, which is one of our weaknesses. Rebounding and scoring are some of the things he could definitely bring."

It wasn't Robinson's first try to play in the PBA.

Last year, San Miguel also enlisted the former Kansas star but he suffered a back injury that led to his early release in favor of Diamond Stone.

Now, he gets another chance with the Road Warriors and things are looking good as he led them to victories against Converge and TNT Tropang Giga in their friendly matches.

Aside from Robinson, Lim is also pinning his hopes on Filipino-Kiwi guard Richie Rodger, who was taken with the seventh pick in the recent PBA Draft, as well as Kevin Alas, Kris Rosales, Matt Nieto and Hesed Gabo.

"I saw him personally," said Lim, referring to Rodger.

"Before the Draft, I asked him to practice with us twice and he was pretty impressive."

"He's not gonna score 25 to 30 points, but he could provide direction and I think we'll go well with him running the team as a point guard."

Listed at 6-foot-2, Rodger played as point guard for the Otago Nuggets, a professional team from National Basketball League in New Zealand and averaged 9.3 points, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.