DESPITE starting the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup with 0-3 win-loss slate, NLEX Road Warriors is not yet pressing the panic button after showing signs of improvement in their first three games.
Road Warriors head coach Yeng Guiao said that their close 80-85 loss to the TNT KaTropa earlier this week was a good sign that their retooled lineup has what it takes to stay abreast with the elite teams.
“Maaga pa naman. I’m not losing hope. Feeling ko rito kapag nakakuha kami ng momentum, we’ll be okay,” said Guiao, who hopes to duplicate their semifinals finish a year ago.
Guiao added that the team is still adjusting to the return of Kevin Alas, who was out for a year due to a knee injury, and the entry of new guys like John Paul Erram, Marion Magat and rookie Kris Porter.
“We still need to work on the reintegration of Kevin in the team and siguro settling down Poy into the team,” he said. “Poy was able to get his touches and put himself into a [good] scoring position.”
He added: “We’re bound to get better. We’re a bit better with our execution of plays, too. We were close but again, the problem is that we committed our turnovers in a crucial part. We’re staying positive.”
Guiao is hopeful that the Road Warriors will finally enter the win column when it takes on the Columbian Dyip this afternoon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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Bacolodnon Jeffrey Manday is more than excited as he is one of the 104 aspirants selected during the 2019 PBA Developmental League Rookie Draft held last week at the PBA office in Quezon City.
The Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias Titans standout said that he is thankful to the Che’lu Bar and Grill Revellers, who drafted him in the 11th round, for picking him even if he will not be available until April.
“To be honest, I did not expect to be drafted especially that hindi naman po ako sa Manila naglalaro so I am very thankful sa trust na ibinigay sa akin ng Revellers,” Manday said.
“I promise to do my best para makatulong sa team. I know that they have a winning tradition since they were in the PBA D-League finals twice last season so I will do my part to contribute,” he added.
Revellers was among the 20 teams that will participate in the upcoming conference along with UAAP champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and NCAA titlist San Beda University Red Lions./PN
