NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag is spending the long Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup ceasefire working to get his squad back in the groove.

After a 6-0 start, the Road Warriors have lost two of their last three games and even saw workhorse import DeQuan Jones go down with a season-ending right leg injury.

For the first-year tactician, the nine-week break for Gilas Pilipinas’ international stints allows NLEX time to reflect, recuperate and regroup. The Road Warriors will also use the time to familiarize themselves with replacement reinforcement Deonte Burton.

“We’re going on this break. I’ll be watching a lot of film to see where we can improve. And get ready for the comeback after the break,” Alapag said.

The Road Warriors suffered a 110-112 loss to Converge last Friday sans Jones, who fractured his right leg three nights prior in NLEX’s 118-11, overtime win over defending champion TNT.

Despite the string of misfortunes, NLEX has kept its hold of the lead in Group A with a 7-2 slate tied with San Miguel Beer.

Alapag’s crew is set to front the resumption of hostilities on 7 October against guest team Macau.

It will also be enough for Burton to get acquainted with the system and his teammates before the Road Warriors take another shot at formally entering the playoffs.

Alapag sees Burton as being of the same caliber as Jones.

Handpicked by the mentor to take the place of Jones, Alapag is banking on familiarity with the former Sacramento Kings player.

Alapag said Burton is a good fit for NLEX, much like how Jones led the team in its sizzling start before the unfortunate injury.

“I think very comparable (to Jones). In terms of just his explosiveness, the power, the physicality,” Alapag said.

Alapag handled Burton during his time as an assistant coach with the Stockton Kings in the 2022-2023 season and the Sacramento Kings in 2023 when he worked as a player development coach.

“He spent some time in the NBA and we spent time together. Hopefully, our experience working together in the past makes his transition to the PBA a little smoother than it would be with an import that hasn’t played here before,” Alapag said.

“So, excited to have him on board.”