NLEX finally won one and is headed to the door slowly getting its pride back.
Two weeks after giving their core a major facelift, the Road Warriors rallied from a 20-point first quarter deficit and clipped Alaska, snapping a 13-game losing streak that dates back to the start of the year while putting the Aces’ playoff chances in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in jeopardy.
And the Road Warriors pulled out a tight 100-92 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao without import Wayne Chism in the last 5:20, something which makes coach Yeng Guiao even more proud and convinced that they did the right thing in revamping his lineup very recently.
“I think the sign of a good trade is that both parties should benefit from it,” Guiao said in his first visit to the press room since Jan. 7, when NLEX upset sister team TNT KaTropa in the Philippine Cup eliminations. “The players we traded (away) are playing well.”
After losing a string to open up this conference, Guiao shook up the lineup and gave away Eric Camson, Sean Anthony, Garvo Lanete, Bradwyn Guinto and Glenn Khobuntin to sign up veterans JR Quinahan, Alex Mallari and the injured Larry Fonacier.
“We tried to just prove to ourselves that, two weeks ago, we made some painful, hard decisions and wanted to validate that we did the right thing,” he said after dealing the Aces a fifth straight defeat that pushed Alaska’s back to the wall with a 4-5 record.
“This is a good win for us. We need a lot more situations like this where we can build character,” Guiao, a six-time champion, said. “We’re looking forward to the next conference.”