Streaking NLEX faces Blackwater
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2019 16:20:26 +0000
Unbeaten Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) wants to prolong its unbeaten run and its hold on the top spot when it meets Blackwater in the 4:30 p.m. first game while San Miguel Beer aims for back-to-back wins against Alaska at 6:45 p.m. in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
The Road Warriors (2-0 win-loss record), under coach Yeng Guiao beat Meralco, 105-99, last Friday.
PBA Governors’ Cup game at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO
“We’re trying to maintain our momentum. It’s been a long time since we won two in a row and we’ll try to make it three. But Blackwater is not an easy opponent especially that they are planning to change import,” said Guiao.
Guiao sees the Elite as dangerous foes whether they change their import Marqus Blakely or not.
“It is going to be a defensive headache for us. Ray Parks played really well last time.”
JR Quiñahan led NLEX with 19 points, while Olu Ashaolu posted 17 points and 13 rebounds. Ravena tallied 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Kenneth Ighalo contributed 15 points in the Road Warriors’ latest win.
The Elite, under rookie coach Aries Dimaunahan, lost to TNT KaTropa, 107-135, last Wednesday.
Import Blakely, in his first game with Blackwater, finished with a measly four points. Despite the initial poor showing, Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy said that they would not be replacing Blakely.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria is expecting the still winless Aces to go-for-broke.
“That’s a very dangerous team right now because they are down 0-2. We are expecting them to play their best to get a win. It is going to be a hard fought game. So we are hoping to sustain our performance,” Austria said.
San Miguel Beer’s import Dez Wells debuted with 42 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in their 130-119 win over Phoenix.
Alaska lost to Columbian Dyip (110-117) and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (83-102) in their first two games.
JOSEF T. RAMOS