Yeng-less NLEX shoots for No. 3

Thriving without head coach Yeng Guiao, a still undermanned NLEX squad aims to extend its unbeaten run to three wins when it clashes with Magnolia in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup today at the Smart Araneta-Coliseum.

Game time is at 7 p.m. with the Road Warriors eyeing to solidify its hold of the top spot against the Hotshots in the second week of the season-ending conference.

Before that, star forward Calvin Abueva finally makes his much-awaited Phoenix debut against Northport in the appetizer set at 4:30 p.m.

Banking on two impressive wins by an average margin of 14.5 points, the shorthanded yet undeterred Road Warriors are keen on stretching their undefeated streak to 3-0 even against the top contenders Hotshots.

More than that, NLEX will be shooting to give a fitting farewell game to injured reinforcement Olu Ashaolu before former import Aaron Fuller substitute for him as he enters rehabilitation.

Going up against doctor’s advice, the Nigerian-Canadian reinforcement played through a partial patellar tendon injury for two games but still racked up solid averages of 30 points and 18 rebounds to lift NLEX to a pair of impressive wins over Talk ‘N Text, 103-90, and Northport, 123-107.

The heart shown by Ashaolu, according to interim coach Jojo Lastimosa, was NLEX’s driving force despite missing Kevin Alas (ACL injury) and Kiefer Ravena (suspended). Asi Taulava and mentor Guiao are also currently in Jakarta, Indonesia for the 18th Asian Games.

“You gotta give Olu the credit. He has tremendous heart,” Lastimosa said. “He really wants to play and he’s going against the doctor’s order. He will be still our import against Magnolia.”

However, while Lastimosa lauded the coaching staff and the players for responding to the tough challenge of playing without Guiao and their marquee guys, he told his wards to not fall into the deceiving trap of their unbeaten mark.

“There’s a danger, you might think you’re really good but the fact is you’re not really good yet,” he said.

Tasked to back Ashaolu up are veterans JR Quinahan, Larry Fonacier and Alex Mallari, alongside rising rookie Mac Tallo who was hailed as last week’s Cignal – PBA Press Corps Players of the Week owing to his averages of 15.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in NLEX’s first two wins.

NLEX’s bid for a 3-0 slate will not be an easy nut to crack though especially by an intact Magnolia squad parading former Best Import Romeo Travis.

The lefty reinforcement Travis is expected to be in his usual fiery form to help the Hotshots get back to being a contender this conference after being kicked out of contention early in the Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.

Magnolia will be playing without national team player Paul Lee, but it still has ample local support for Travis led by Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang and Justin Melton.

All eyes, however, will be on the Fuel Masters who will be finally parading the enigmatic star Abueva for the first time after a blockbuster trade with Alaska last month.

With the former Best Player of the Conference Abueva at the helm, head coach Louie Alas likes their chances even against the revenge-seeking Columbian Dyip following its tough 106-109 loss to Meralco last Friday.

“(With Abueva), I like our chances,” Alas told the Daily Tribune. “We know that Calvin, as usual, is super active. So, we need to bring our running shoes for us to get going.”

Backstopping Abueva are his fellow national team player Matthew Wright, Rookie of the Year pace-setter Jason Perkins and resident import Eugene Phelps.

Standing on their way are Columbian’s Jerramy King, Eric Camson, Ronald Tubid, Rashawn McCarthy and import Akeem Wright whose 30 points and 14 rebounds went for naught in their debut loss last week.