In the last two games of the NLEX-Magnolia series, the Road Warriors struggled on the defensive end. In Game Two, the Hotshots shot a blistering 50 percent from the field and followed it up with a 52 percent shooting night two days later.
It led to two losses and a 1-2 series disadvantage for the upstart squad.
Coming into Game Four, the Road Warriors were in do-or-die mode as, according to second-year NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao, a 1-3 hole would be tough to climb out of, especially against Magnolia.
“A one-and-three win-loss record would practically be a foregone conclusion. Mahirap makabalik, lalo pag Magnolia ang kalaban mo kung down ka ng one and three,” the seven-time champion coach shared.
The Road Warriors were in lock-down mode on Friday evening, as they ramped up their defense, forcing the Hotshots to shoot just 36.8 percent from the field. Moreover, they were able to limit Jio Jalalon and Ian Sangalang to just nine and 15 points respectively, after the duo torched them in Game Three.
According to Kevin Alas, they needed to change their focus, as the initial game plan of stopping just Paul Lee did not work.
“Parang siguro yung last game namin, masyadong focus namin kay Paul, now our focus is stopping the whole team eh.
“Coming into this game, ang ganda nung mentality nung team na hindi lang namin kailangan i-stop si Paul, Ian, we have to stop the whole team. I think maganda yung adjustment namin,” said Alas, who finished the game with 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
“I have to give credit also to our defense. Maganda i-dinepensa namin today,” added Guiao.
“We’re hoping we can keep up this kind of a defense for the rest of the series.”
With this mindset, the Road Warriors were able to knot the series at 2-2 after taking a 102-81 win — their biggest victory over the franchise in two years.
And with the ride they are on, the four-year pro is excited that they are just two wins away from making history once more for the Metro Pacific Tollways-owned franchise. Still, the 26-year-old combo guard is not getting over-anxious, knowing that they have to work for it.
“Ako personally, I hoping na we’re gonna make history. But it has to start in practice tomorrow. Malaking bagay yun eh. ‘Pag nagpa-practice kami ng maganda, nae-execute namin yung game plan sa practice, nata-translate sa game.”
