Bumpy ride ahead
For coach Jong Uichico, getting two wins in two games to open the PBA Commissioner’s Cup is going to benefit NLEx down the road.
Or maybe even earlier.
The Road Warriors enter a tougher stretch in their campaign as they are set for a showdown with the TNT Tropang 5G and their highly anticipated import, Bol Bol.
“At least, nakapuhunan na (we have something in the bank already),” Uichico said after NLEx took down Magnolia, 112-105, on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Rodriguez, Rizal, a faraway town known more by its old name, Montalban.
NLEx started off the conference by defeating Blackwater, 84-81, two nights earlier in Manila, a game where they had to erase a 16-point deficit. Things were pretty much the same against the Hotshots, as the Road Warriors erased a gap of 13 behind Robert Bolick, Kevin Alas and rookie LJay Gonzales.
Plus, with contributions from import Cady Lalanne, NLEx is banking on the early momentum as it not only faces TNT, but also Barangay Ginebra—two tough matches within the next two weeks.
“Getting these wins at the early stage is huge for us, especially since we have a single-round eliminations,” said Uichico. “If we have the opportunity of getting a win, we have to take advantage of it.”
NLEx, currently tied with perennial minnow Terrafirma and Phoenix atop the standings, is among the first challenges of Bol and TNT, one of the league’s heavyweights, who are about to make their debut in the midseason conference.
Bol in the spotlight
TNT opens its title-defense against Rain or Shine on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with Bol in the spotlight. On the same night, Ginebra sees action for the first time, going up against guest team Macau, which has slumped to a 0-2 start.
The Black Knights fell on Saturday to the Elasto Painters, 116-109, in Rodriguez, but import Tony Mitchell feels the visitors can turn things around.
“We only started as a team,” said Mitchell. “We only started as a team, we only practiced for three or four days and had two games back-to-back, kind of in a way.
“[But] we’re leaning towards a good position. We just need to keep working. We got to keep working.”
San Miguel Beer begins its bid for another crown on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, facing a struggling Titan Ultra squad that dropped its first two assignments by an average margin of 31.5 points.
The Beermen are hell-bent on keeping their habit of winning championships as the June Mar Fajardo-led side will be reinforced by 6-foot-11 import Marcus Lee.
Also debuting is Philippine Cup semifinalist Meralco on Wednesday in Antipolo against Converge, which is out to redeem itself after a shock overtime loss to Terrafirma.
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