PROBLEMS with import Jonathon Simmons has turned NLEX’S excitement to launch its drive in the season-ending tourney into anxiety.
But Road Warriors coach Frankie Lim vowed his wards will be ready– with or without Simmons.
“Mayroon siyang offer sa China, so, ang sabi ko, ‘Sige lumarga ka, hanap na lang kami ng iba.’ Baka hindi na lumaro sa Wednesday (today),” Lim said. “Basta we’ll just try and gawan ng paraan.”
Whether NLEX plays all-Filipino will be known when it takes on Blackwater today in both teams’ opener in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The game is set at 3 p.m. before TNT, with interim coach and erstwhile team manager Jojo Lastimosa set to call the shots for the team along with Serbian Slavoljub Lale Gorunovic as active consultant, faces Phoenix and new tactician Jamike Jarin at 5:45.
The Tropang Giga has given Chot Reyes time to focus on coaching Gilas Pilipinas in this year’s FIBA World Cup. Reyes was named TNT senior consultant.
The Road Warriors got big men Sean Anthony and Jake Pascual from the Fuel Masters for Justin Chua and Paul Varilla just last week.
Aside from Anthony and Pascual, the likes of Kevin Alas, Don Trollano, Kris Rosales, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser will be counted upon by NLEX to deliver.
In Lim’s firs conference with the squad, the Road Warriors finished with a 5-7 slate after the eliminations and lost to Rain or Shine in a knockout playoff duel for the last quarterfinals berth.
Bossing strategist Ariel Vanguardia said his team, out to make up for a 3-9 record in the last Commissioner’s Cup, is not looking past NLEX.
“Ganoon pa rin, try and contain their import kahit sino pa siya,” Vanguardia said. “May mga bago silang players so hindi pa namin alam kung ano ang impact nila pagpasok sa bago nilang team.”
Vanguardia is hoping a healthier Blackwater five could finally show its worth.
“Maglalaro na finally si Baser (Amer), JVee (Casio), (Joshua) Torralba and then soon, probably next week, maglalaro na rin si Troy (Rosario). Kaya this conference, ‘All-in!’ ang battle cry namin.”
The Bossing will be beefed up by returning reinforcement Shawn Glover, who will team up with Amer, Casio, Rey Suerte, Ato Ular, and new additions RK Ilagan and Mike DiGregorio whom they got from Converge for Barkley Eboña.
The Tropang Giga failed to live up to their lofty billing the last time out with a 4-8 record for 11th in the mid-season tilt.
TNT will pin its hopes on import Jalen Hudson, Jayson Castro, Mikey Williams, Roger Pogoy, and new acquisition Chua.
Phoenix finished with a 6-6 card for seventh in the last Commissioner’s Cup and bowed to No. 2 and twice-to-beat Magnolia in the quarterfinals.
Comebacking reinforcement Du Vaughn Maxwell, Javee Mocon, Jason Perkisn, and RJ Jazul will carry the fight for the Fuel Masters.
