NLEX and its head coach Yeng Guiao had been so confident entering the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft.
After re-signing all the Road Warriors during the off-season, the draft was set to be the culmination of their build-up to PBA Season 46 as NLEX owned the third and fourth overall picks in the upcoming rookie draft set on Sunday.
In fact, NLEX even held an online promo on who can guess the picks of the team.
However, plans change.
Just three days before the draft, the fourth pick was grabbed from the shoes of NLEX, going to TNT after going through a three-team trade with Blackwater.
“Nagulat din ako, nagpa-contest pa nga kami diyan kasi wala naman akong expectation talaga na may mga ganitong mangyayari.
“Nangyayari talaga yan e. Sometimes may mga di inaasahang pagkakataob na ganyan, challenges. But that was how I look at it before, na I wanted to hang on to those two picks. Kasi ang ganda ng pool for this coming draft. Alam mo ako, tingin ko, yung one to four? One, two, three, and four, kung sinuman mapili diyan, potentially could be no. one. Parang may apat na number one picks diyan. Hindi nagkakalayo yang top four picks na yan,” he said.
Guiao emphasized that he wanted to keep the pick that could have been Calvin Oftana, Mikey Williams, Alvin Pasaol, or Santi Santillan. It might even be a Jamie Malonzo if the stars align.
“We have discussed thoroughly the recently concluded trade between Blackwater, TNT and NLEX within the organization, and I have strongly indicated my position on the matter. Unfortunately, I do not make the final decisions,” said Guiao.
“I remain a good soldier and a team player.”
In the end, NLEX received Roi Sumang, Don Trollano, Maurice Shaw, and the Bossing’s 2022 second round draft pick.
Being a “good soldier” to the MVP group, Guiao will focus on things he has control of which is his team.
“We will move forward from this trade with a positive outlook and focus on our preparation to put together a competitive team for this coming season.
“Ganun talaga, we have to abide by the decision of the group and the higher management. Ganun lang naman talaga yun and I accept that. So we will move forward from this trade with a positive outlook, and focus on our preparation to put together a competitive team for this coming season,” he continued.
