Games today:

(Ynares Center-Antipolo)

5:15 p.m. — NLEX vs Titan Ultra

7:30 p.m. — San Miguel Beer vs Macau

A blowout win followed by a close-call escape has given NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag a clearer idea of what to expect in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

Each game will be a test for the Road Warriors.

So, winning a third straight game won’t be a cakewalk even against a winless Titan Ultra side in Group A today at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

Alapag has cautioned his wards not to take the Giant Risers lightly in their curtain-raiser meeting at 5:15 p.m.

Definitely not after a narrow 101-100 escape over pesky Terrafirma on Sunday in the second of the Road Warriors’ three-game swing in five days.

“I think it just shows that we still have, you know, a lot of work to be done,” Alapag admitted after NLEX nearly squandered a 23-point lead entering the payoff period.

The Road Warriors got lucky after missing two attempts on their last possession, as Dyip import Justin Strings’ potential game-winning three-pointer missed its mark at the buzzer.

It was a squeaker that came after NLEX routed guest team Macau, 114-75, to open its campaign last Friday.

“I said it after the last game; there’s still so much season left. But these games are important. I think every win is important,” Alapag said.

“So, the more wins that you could get, I think it puts us in a better position going forward.”

DeQuan Jones has been consistent with his scoring after putting up 23 and 30 points, respectively, for the Road Warriors, while the local crew, led by Robert Bolick, Schonny Winston, Kevin Alas and JB Bahio, has been providing steady backup.

Titan Ultra, on the other hand, is looking to end a two-game slide with an import expected to suit up.

The Giant Risers suffered a 100-113 loss to Terrafirma last Friday before absorbing a 74-105 drubbing at the hands of Converge two nights ago sans a reinforcement.

Replacement import James Milton failed to obtain his FIBA clearance, forcing Titan Ultra to play an all-Filipino lineup. Milton is still waiting for the green light to play but reports have it that original choice Tirrell Brown will be suiting up to avert yet another disaster.

The Giant Risers have to field an import or risk paying a P50,000 fine. As per league rules, teams are given a grace period of two games to play without an import but must field one in the next outing.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer debuts against Macau in the main game at 7:30 p.m.

The Beermen parade high-scoring George King as they aim for redemption after a quarterfinal exit in the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup.

On the other hand, the Giant Pandas must find a way to squeeze more from the rest of their roster after Damian Chongqui and import DeVondre Perry did most of the heavy lifting with 35 and 26 points, respectively, while the rest combined for just 14 in the crushing opening-day defeat.