NLEX braces for a Ginebra crew that is starting to get together and play like defending champs again
Kevin Alas (No. 7) will be the main local gun of the Road Warriors. — PBA . IMAGES
After seeing off a team that had said goodbye to the PBA, NLEX coach Yeng Guiao will now have to deal with an aspect he sees as drawing closer together.
“They’re learning to play together, and that’s a big deal for any team that plays against them,” Guiao said of defending champion Barangay Ginebra, whose Road Warriors pulled out after Gin. Kings survived two knockout matches against the famous TNT. Roadblocks remain in their attempt to create a title series for the first time in franchise history.
Guiao actually admitted that he doesn’t see the Gin Kings as an enemy in the playoffs, and that he and his wards were somewhat prepared to face TNT in the semifinals after Tropang Giga also benefited. defeated Ginebra twice in the quarterfinals.
But knowing Ginebra is Ginebra, it doesn’t seem like giving up and completely turns the series upside down.
“Going from one set of difficulties to another is probably harder,” Guiao said after knocking Alaska out in their KO match last Saturday. “We still don’t know what to do against Ginebra. We are really looking forward to it [TNT] because they also have a two-beat advantage. But now it’s Ginebra. ”
Sure enough, Guiao and his staff were already planning against the kings for the series starting Wednesday at 6pm at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay because he had identified a local player which he sees as a big difference in Ginebra’s running late.
Decorated Guiao has his eye on Scottie Thompson, the tireless keeper who has played at an incredible level in this playoffs. Thompson was actually named PBA Press Corps-Cignal Player of the Year after two wins over Tropang Giga, where he averaged 20 points, 12.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists.
And then he will deal with the others.
“We will have to find the right opponents,” he said. “Plus, I think they’re achieving chemistry with Japeth [Aguilar] and Christian [Standhardinger]. They’re learning to play together and that’s a big deal for any team that plays against them. “
The other semi-final series will pit No 1 Magnolia against Meralco, a tit-for-tat match that examines how the two sides live defensively.
NLEX became the No. 2 seed mainly thanks to KJ McDaniels, the original importer had to return to the US after the knockout round to take care of his wife-to-be.
Instead, the Road Warriors brought in Cameron Clark, a veteran of the European league, in his place.
And in an odd twist, Clark first saw his team and the Kings in action during a March 4 clash where management introduced him to his Road Warrior teammates. me. INQ
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