November 12, 2019

Streaking Road Warriors wary of Batang Pier

IT SURELY seems as if fate has not been kind to NorthPort lately, leading to its ongoing struggles in the PBA Governors Cup.

Even NLEX coach Yeng Guiao thinks so. "If NorthPort hadn't lost Robert Bolick and C-Stand (Christian Standhardinger) had come in earlier with their new import they would be higher in the standings," he noted.

Guiao also knows Lady Luck is sure to smile on NorthPort one of these days.

The grizzled tactician just doesn't want that to happen Wednesday when his Road Warriors battle the Batang Pier at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Already assured of a win-once advantage in the quarterfinals, NLEX is looking to stretch its winning streak to six and stay on track to finishing the eliminations as the top seed.

Sponsored content:
Putting it simply, NorthPort wants to snap out of a two-game slide and thus stay alive in the hunt for one of the eight slots in the next round.

The Batang Pier could even make it outright if they win over NLEX and against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday. A split would make them play off for the last spot at most or out altogether.

Such a tight spot could have been avoided, as Guiao pointed out, had Bolick not been sidelined for the rest of the season by a knee injury he suffered last Oct. 23, which incidentally marked the team debut of both new acquisition Standhardinger and replacement import Michael Qualls.

Before the injury, Bolick was averaging 13.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists and is one of the team's acknowledged team leaders and main stabilizer.

Qualls (34.0 points, 14.3 rebounds, 2.67 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.67 blocks) and Standhardinger (25 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists) have been doing their part but the clear lack of support have put to waste their efforts.

Sponsored content:
Still, the NorthPort threat is very real for Guiao. "It does not make them any less dangerous when we play them tomorrow," he said, referring to the Batang Pier's ninth-running slate.

But NLEX is driven by its own burning desire to complete its big turnaround from a cellar-finish in the last Commissioner's Cup and to keep on improving for the playoffs.

"We need to preserve our gains by improving our consistency and this game is a big test," said Guiao. "Our focus is on execution and trying to get better for the next round."

Since coming in to replace Olu Ashaolu four games ago, Manny Harris has been undefeated with NLEX, even helping engineer that memorable fightback against Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok that resulted in an 86-85 cliffhanger last Sunday.

Kiefer Ravena, Poy Erram, JR Quinahan and Jericho Cruz have also led those who have ably backstopped Harris, but Guiao is bringing in another weapon for good measure.

"It's also Kevin Alas' opportunity to get back his feel for the game in a competitive setting," said Guiao of the point guard who is fit enough to play after reinjuring his right knee last February.

"I'm excited for him."

Actually, Alas could have already seen action against Magnolia, but Guiao opted to sit out the former Letran standout since that game was played at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, the same venue where the combo guard re-tore his ACL.

It was the same injury and on the same knee which sidelined Alas for most of the 2017-18 season. (NC)