September 02, 2017

Making it to Top 4 keeps Road Warriors motivated against Batang Pier

NLEX has secured a quarterfinals berth and has now set its sights on realizing a far loftier goal.

GlobalPort is on the outside looking in but is determined to follow suit.

The Road Warriors and Batang Pier tangle Sunday spurred by such desires in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A follow-up win by NLEX to its 103-100 triumph over San Miguel Beer last week would not only cement its place among the top eight teams advancing to the next round but also stoke its chances of inclusion among the top four which will be rewarded by a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters.

For its part, GlobalPort is also looking to score a fitting encore to its 119-112 victory over TNT just last Friday, a win that lodged it in ninth spot.

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Batang Pier coach Franz Pumaren would like nothing better than for his charges to carry the momentum over to the game against the Road Warriors.

"Let's see if we can sustain this on Sunday," said Pumaren.

"Like I've been telling the players each game is very important. I think 'til the very end every game will have a bearing... because it's all locked in the middle," added Pumaren.
"The top teams are two, three games ahead, but it's gonna be locked down in the middle part, all wanting to be part of the top four."

That is precisely what NLEX coach Yeng Guiao craves for, but knows it would be rough going against GlobalPort.

"They're coming from a great win, they have momentum and confidence," said Guiao, adding how they can defend the Batang Pier's dreaded backcourt duo of Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle and Murphey Holloway should be key.
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"Pringle and Romeo are the usual suspects, but we still have to figure out how to defend their import," stated Guiao.

"If we defend like we did SMB we have a chance. But anything else would be disastrous for us. If we want a top four finish this game is a must-win for us."