#PBA2015 NLEX ROAD WARRIORS vs RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS PREVIEW: LOOKING TO REBOUND
The NLEX Road Warriors are coming off a disappointing finish in the 2015 Dubai Invitational, while the ROS Elasto-Painters are coming off a tight loss to the TNT Tropang Texters. Both teams are definitely looking to rebound from those setbacks and get a W in this game.
NLEX had a promising start in the 2015 Dubai Invitational tournament, but they just didn’t have enough juice and muscle to go against bigger and deeper teams (some with more than two imports!) the rest of the way. Import Al Thornton also proved to be a little inconsistent in that tourney, so he will probably look to bounce back in this game.
The Painters had a painful loss to the Texters in the conference’s opening week. They looked to be in control heading into the fourth period, but the Texters proved to be tougher in crunchtime, culminating in Jayson Castro’s big win-clinching basket down the stretch.
- ALL HOOKED UP
Capt. Hool Mac Cardona has been playing inspired basketball so far this season, averaging +6 in scoring while also seeing his rebounds, assists, and steals go up. There is no doubt he needs to play strong if the Road Warriors are to match their semifinal finish in last season’s Commish Cup, and it’ll be interesting to see if he can continue to play at a high level throughout the rest of the season.
Current stats: 16.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg.
- READY TO ROCK
Asi “The Rock” Taulava has also been playing really well. Like last season, the Fil-Tongan is putting up a double-double average despite his advanced age. The 6’9 banger is actually shooting and scoring better than last season, and there’s no reason to think his play will drop off anytime soon. Just like Cardona, Asi needs to be consistently great if NLEX is to make a lot of noise this conference.
Current stats: 16.2ppg, 11.2rpg, 2.4apg, 52.8 FG%.
- STRETCH WITH ALDRECH
One big revelation for NLEX this season has been former FEU Tamaraw Aldrech Ramos. Ramos is undoubtedly playing the best season of his young career. He is registering career-bests in scoring, rebounding, and three-point shooting. He has become more efficient this season and has proudly embraced his role as the Road Warriors’ bona fide stretch forward. If Ramos can continue being a threat on the perimeter, look for him to stretch the defense and open up the inside for his teammates.
Current stats: 10.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 47.6 3pt%, 49.0 FG%, 1.7 threes per game.
- IMPORT WATCH: AL THORNTON
At 6’8, NBA journeyman Al Thornton has the size to match-up with most local big men, but his skill-set also makes him a legit threat on the wings. In six NBA seasons (playing for three clubs), Thornton has averaged around 12 points and 4 rebounds a game. He shot better than 45% from the field, 29% from beyond the arc, and around 75% from the line. These numbers mean Thornton was a quality NBA talent, and if the 31-year old can bring some of his old fire to NLEX, then the Road Warriors may just gatecrash the playoff party once again.
NBA career stats: 11.9ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.2apg, 45.2 FG%, 29.3 3pt%, 74.7 FT%.
Latest stats from Brujos de Guayama in Puerto Rico: 21.6ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.9apg, 1.0bpg, 30.3 3pt%, 44.7 FG%.
- IMPRESSIVE DEBUT: RICK JACKSON
ROS import Rick Jackson had an impressive debut despite the fact his team lost to TNT. His numbers speak for themselves. He put up a 30-10 double-double while also shooting 50% from the floor. If that’s not efficient, I don’t know what is. Still, I’m sure he would have rather enjoyed a victory, so he should give an extra gear in this game against NLEX.
Vs TNT: 30pts, 10rebs, 1ast, 50.0 FG%, 4 turnovers.
- LEE-THAL DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Gilas Pilipinas PG Paul Lee struggled in his match-up with Jayson Castro of TNT. Lee did score 10 points, but he only hit a single field goal in ten tries. 7 of his points came from the free throw line. He did, however, show a different dimension of his game by grabbing 10 rebounds for ROS. He was the hero of the game in ROS’s last game against NLEX, so expect him to play a major role again in this one.
Vs TNT: 10pts, 10rebs, 2asts, 1stl, 1/8 FGs, 7/8 FTs.
- MORE ALMAZAN, PLEASE
6’9 big man Raymond Almazan put up good numbers against TNT despite playing just a dozen minutes off the bench. It was Gilas Pilipinas center Beau Belga who started alongside Jackson in the frontcourt while it was JR Quiñahan who played the most frontline minutes with 25. Almazan was more productive than either guy, however, so he deserves to see more burn in this game against the vertically-challenged Road Warriors.
Vs TNT: 9pts, 5rebs, 1blk, 4/5 FGs.
Belga + Quiñahan: 8pts, 11rebs, 4/11 FGs.
- UP UP UYLOAN
One guy who continues to step up for coach Yeng Guiao is the oft-overlooked Jonathan Uyloan. The much-improved Fil-Am started against TNT and shot pretty well, nailing three treys on his way to 11 points, the highest total of any ROS local in that outing. He also collared 3 rebounds, handed out 2 assists, and had 3 steals.
Vs TNT: 11pts, 3rebs, 2asts, 3stls, 3 triples.
- PREVIOUS MEETING: LEE SAVES THE DAY
In the previous and only meeting so far this season between these two teams, the Painters leaned on the endgame heroics of Paul Lee to pull the rug from under the Road Warriors. NLEX was up by 6 points with under 2 minutes to go, but Lee scored 8 points in the final 90 seconds to erase that deficit and hand ROS a huge win. Lee had a total of 27 points to lead ROS in that memorable come-from-behind win.
Last game against each other:
ROS Leaders:
Paul Lee – 27pts, 6rebs, 3asts, 3 triples
Gabe Norwood – 12pts
Beau Belga – 11pts, 7rebs
NLX Leaders:
Jonas Villanueva – 22pts, 9rebs
KG Cañaleta – 15pts
Asi Taulava – 14pts, 16rebs
*Jeff Chan, Jeric Teng, Jervy Cruz, and Chris Tiu all missed this game with a variety of injuries.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
