2015-16 PBA Season Preview: NLEX Road Warriors

NLEX head coach Boyet Fernandez feels his team needs to earn the respect of the league first before anything else.

And Fernandez knows the Road Warriors won’t earn it with a mediocre track record.

“We want the teams to respect us. We’re 10th place last season so ang gusto lang namin pagdating namin sa venue ng game yung mga teams na kalaban namin hindi nila sasabihin sa sarili nila na panalo na kami dito,” said Fernandez.

“Gusto lang namin na makuha yung respeto nila and hindi naman hinihingi yon sa kailangan namin trabahuhin.”

Winning won’t come easy but NLEX hopes that the addition of Sean Anthony, the presence of its veteran mainstays in Asi Taulava and Mac Cardona along with incoming rookies Garvo Lanete, Glen Khobuntin and Simon Enciso, and new acquisition Kevin Alas the Road Warriors will be able to have a better showing in the coming season.

“We really wanted a stable four-man and we’re happy that Sean was available with the departure of Aldrech Ramos and KG Canaleta,” he said.

“He just started practicing for us and this is his first official practice game with us and I’m happy with the way he played today,” said Fernandez after NLEX’s blowout win over Barako Bull on Saturday in a tune-up game where Anthony was instrumental on both ends of the floor.

Fernandez was pleased with how his team was able to keep up with Barako Bull’s quick pace but said that the Road Warriors are still not in their top form.

Fernandez stressed the importance of improving every practice that will translate during games.

Still, the emphasis was on earning the respect of the league which they now could only start with having a winning habit.

“We’re not asking for their respect, we have to prove to them na kailangan nila kami respetuhin. And to earn their respect we must improve or else hanggang dito na lang kami.”

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