NLEX, Meralco eye early lead
Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Meralco gun for back-to-back victories when they meet their respective foes tonight in the second day of Season 43 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The Road Warriors face Northport (formerly GlobalPort) in the 4:30 p.m. first game while the Bolts battle TNT KaTropa in the 6:45 p.m. second game.
Assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa is elated with the Road Warriors’ 103-90 win over TNT last Friday but reminded his players not to rest on their laurels.
“I reminded them not to be satisfied and we should not play complacent (against Northport). We are still in a dangerous spot right now,” said Lastimosa, who’s substituting for NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao who is currently mentoring the Philippine team in the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
NLEX import Olu Ashaolu (55) soars over Troy Rosario of TNT in the opening day of Season 43 PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO
But in tonight’s game, NLEX will be playing without import Olu Ashaolu, who is nursing a patellar tendon tear.
Despite the injury, Ashaolu still finished with an impressive 33 points and 23 rebounds last game.
“I don’t know what he can give us today but he will show up and play. He will be our import until his replacement comes in. But he will not go home. He will do his rehab here,” added Lastimosa, who is eyeing last year’s NLEX import Aaron Fuller as Ashaolu’s temporary replacement.
The Road Warriors’ offensive play in their first game was powered by Mac Tallo (16 points), Larry Fonacier (14) and Philip Paniamogan (11).
The Batang Pier will be playing without their main man Stanley Pringle who is with the PH Team in the Asiad but will be fortified by import Rashad Woods against the Road Warriors.
“It was an impressive first game for them beating TNT. They (NLEX) outplayed TNT in all angles and credit to Yeng’s assistant coaches Jolas (Lastimosa) and Adonis Tierra. Their import is also impressive despite the injury. We have to be ready,” said Northport coach Pido Jarencio.
Meanwhile, the Bolts are expecting a gritty KaTropa.
“Our game versus TNT will be tough especially since they are coming off a loss to NLEX,” said Meralco coach Norman Black. Meralco is coming off a slim 109-106 win over Columbian Dyip last Friday.
“We must do a better job of defending against the three-point shot because we came up a high percentage versus Columbian. Defending (Jayson) Castro and (Terrence) Romeo will be a priority while also keeping (Mike) Glover off the boards,” he added.
Allen Durham showed why he is the back-to-back Best Import by posting 26 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists last Friday.
Baser Amer, who scored the go-ahead basket in crunch time, notched 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
KaTropa coach Nash Racela is expecting more from his import Mike Glover who finished with a measly 11 points and 15 rebounds in their game vs the Road Warriors.
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