Road Warriors go for 3-0 vs Hotshots
PBA IMAGESNLEX
NLEX seeks further breakthrough while Star looks for stability as the two teams clash at the resumption of the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at home soil over at the Philsports Arena Sunday.
Both are well-rested and aching to plunge back into action as they collide in the 5:15 p.m. mainer of the first of four straight double-headers the league is bringing over the Pasig playing venue from Nov. 8-15.
The Road Warriors are returning from a long 11-day respite or since a come-from-behind 93-85 win over the Barako Bull Energy on Oct. 28.
In that game, Asi Taulava and Sean Anthony delivered second straight double-double performances leading the Road Warriors to a first-ever 2-0 conference start in the pro league.
Despite their long idleness, NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez hopes they can get going and nail a first one versus the Star Hotshots, one of three remaining teams they’ve not beaten.
Last season, the Hotshots routinely beat the Road Warriors in three matches, fashioning out a 92-76 massacre in the Philippine Cup, an 87-62 rout in the Commissioner’s Cup and an 89-85 win in the Governors Cup.
But the Road Warriors have improved, a fact not lost on new Star Hotshots coach Jason Webb.
It’s the Star side that’s off to a struggling start in the season under its new bench chieftain.
They Hotshots are still going through learning curves as evident in their 91-101 loss to the Globalport Batang Pier on Oct. 30.
They dropped their season opening game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 87-96, before showing a good promise in an 86-78 conquest of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their next game.
Who did their homework better in their extended break?
“We worked as hard as we can, and hopefully we can translate that to another ‘W’ come game day,” said Fernandez.
The Road Warriors fought back from an early 13-point deficit and played steadily in the homestretch as they pulled off a first win in four head-on matches with the Energy the last time out.
Star, Talk n Text and Rain or Shine are the only teams left NLEX hasn’t beaten in its young franchise history.
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