NLEX coach Yeng Guiao lamented the lack of consistency from his guards in their 83-82 loss to Phoenix Pulse on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The absence of injured Kevin Alas and suspended Kiefer Ravena have left the Road Warriors' backcourt shaky. No less than Guiao attested to it, pointing to their 21 turnovers against the Fuel Masters.
Guiao has admitted the situation needs drastic action possibly through trade or the free agent market.
"It's no longer a question of adjustment," Guiao said. "Matagal nang wala si Kevin, matagal nang wala si Kiefer, siguro we're just going to have to draw the best out of our guards we have right now, or look for guard who can handle yung ganung situations outside of the team.
Alas suffered another ACL injury and will be out possibly for the rest of the season again while Ravena won't be back until he completes his FIBA suspension in late-August.
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That prompted Guiao to turn to Philip Paniamogan, Kenneth Ighalo, Mac Tallo and Bong Galanza. Too bad they are not up to the task.
And Guiao's patience has wear thin.
"I think our guards now have been given that chance and opportunity dahil halos isang taon wala si Kevin, si Kiefer halos eight months na rin yata, so that's enough time for them to step up.
"So I'm actually disappointed of them not being able to step up consistently. Nagiistep-up naman sila, meron silang magagandang laro, but I think what we need is some consistency and we cannot find that consistency with our guards, within the team. Maybe we should look somewhere else.
Friday's loss snapped the Road Warriors' two-game winning streak that dropped them to 2-4 and scrambling to make the playoffs.
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NLEX returns to action on March 8 against defending champion San Miguel Beer at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. (JT)
