NLEX aims to stay on fast lane
SCHONNY Winston and NLEX are determined to stay undefeated when they face the slumping Converge in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Saturday.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PBA
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SCHONNY Winston and NLEX are determined to stay undefeated when they face the slumping Converge in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Saturday.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PBA
Games today:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
5:15 p.m. — Converge vs NLEX
7:30 p.m. — TNT vs San Miguel Beer
NLEX has no intention of lifting its foot off the gas pedal.
As the only unbeaten team left in Group A, the Road Warriors will try to keep it that way when they battle a suddenly skidding Converge in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
NLEX eyes a fifth win in a row in the 5:15 p.m. curtain-raiser to be followed by the 7:30 p.m. tussle between defending champion TNT and San Miguel Beer.
“Just continue to keep our foot on the pedal, not let up,” Road Warriors winger Schonny Winston said.
So far, NLEX is zooming on the right path under new head coach Jimmy Alapag.
Import DeQuan Jones, who is averaging 25.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, has been playing beautiful music with the Road Warriors locals led by Winston, Robert Bolick, Anthony Semerad and Kevin Alas.
NLEX ran over Macau, outraced Terrafirma, crushed Titan Ultra before outworking San Miguel, 110-96, last Sunday, where the Road Warriors led by as many as 25.
“We’re 4-and-0 now, but we also have a strong schedule ahead of us, so we have to continue to do what’s working, continue working even harder and stay consistent,” added Winston, whose squad will end the first round on Tuesday against TNT.
Alapag knows that the Road Warriors’ momentum is not a guarantee for another victory, especially against a FiberXers side raring to halt a two-game slide.
“I know they have a new import, which is always difficult. But again I’m really happy with the spirit of our guys. I think games like tonight will only allow us to continue to grow as a team, as a family, and we’ve got to move on to prepare for Converge,” the mentor said.
Converge is having a rough patch after a 3-0 start, losing to the Beermen before allowing the Tropang 5G to pull off a 110-107 escape off a buzzer-beating triple by Rey Nambatac last Tuesday.
But with balik-import Jamaal Franklin expected to be more settled in and twin towers Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar leading the frontline, Converge could easily snap out of its skid.
Franklin, who replaced Jalen Hudson, dropped 30 points but committed six turnovers.
NLEX should also be on the lookout for Mikey Williams and Juan Gomez De Liaño.
Meanwhile, San Miguel seeks to end its first round on a winning note.
The Beermen bounced back from their loss to NLEX by venting their ire on Titan Ultra, 143-105, last Wednesday for a 4-1 card.
San Miguel will have the advantage in depth and manpower, especially size, with towering nine-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.
TNT, which has a decimated roster due to injuries, will have to improvise once again to improve its 2-2 slate.
The Tropang 5G will parade replacement import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson after letting go of Darius Days.
