Road Warriors in must win vs KaTropa
With their problem with Asi Taulava ironed out, the NLEX Road Warriors now deal with issues on the court, facing it squarely in the eye starting in their game against the TNT KaTropa Texters in Angeles
City Saturday.
The Road Warriors are practically in a must-win situation as they tangle with the Texters in a Petron Blaze Saturday Special in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Gym.
On a hot rampage before the holiday break, the Texters, on the other hand, are now among the tough contenders for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
The Texters and the Road Warriors square off at 5 p.m.
TNT has won four of its last five games, rolling past Barangay Ginebra, Blackwater, Phoenix and Alaska Milk to be right behind the front-running San Miguel Beer squad, in a tie with Rain or Shine at
second place at 4-2.
The team is off to a strong start in the season with heads-up games from core players Jason Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Troy Rosario, Moala Tautuaa, Kelly Williams and Larry Fonacier.
The Road Warriors, meanwhile, are struggling badly with a spate of injuries, plus the fact that they’re still in the period of adjustment under new coach Yeng Guiao.
One good thing was that the Taulava issue has been resolved. The 6-foot-8 behemoth has decided to stay with the team, dropping his request to be traded.
Amidst all these, Guiao remains hopeful they can get a key win that can spark a turnaround for the team en route to a playoff entry.
“For as long as we’re not out, we’ll always take advantage of] whatever opportunity that we’ll have,” said Guiao. “For as long as we’re not out, we have the chance; we may score a win that we can use
as a springboard to a rally.”
Versus TNT, the Road Warriors will be out to check a five-game slump after a triumphant season debut against the Alaska Milk Aces.
Their next four games after TNT are GlobalPort, Phoenix Petroleum, Mahindra and Barangay Ginebra, and their target is to salvage even just the eighth spot.
The last four from the 12-team cast will be out after the single-round-robin elimination phase. The top two enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage versus No. 7 and No. 8 in the quarterfinals while the middle four teams figure in a pair of best-of-three quarters showdown.
The Road Warriors have fallen down to the cellar after successive losses to the Meralco Bolts, the Star Hotshots, the Blackwater Elite, the San Miguel Beermen and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Not helping NLEX’s cause are injuries to big men Taulava, Rico Villanueva and Raul Soyud, and gunner Garvo Lanete.
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