Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Marion Magat a ‘pleasant surprise’ for NLEX, says Yeng Guiao


The absence of JR Quiñahan due to a hurt ankle was hardly felt by the NLEX Road Warriors, thanks to Marion Magat.

The lanky 6-foot-7 center impressed on Sunday, finishing with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds along with an assist and a block to help NLEX weather Columbian Dyip, 107-97, for their first win in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.

With four games into the all-Filipino conference, Magat — whom the Road Warriors acquired from free agency in the offseason after being let go of by the Alaska Aces — is averaging 9.5 points on 48 percent shooting and 6.5 caroms.

“Marion Magat is a pleasant surprise,” said NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao.

“When we picked him up from the free agency and we saw him in practice, we were actually planning to put him in the reserve list. But after a few days in practice, we felt he deserved to be in the regular line-up,” he furthered.

He’s proving that he deserves his slot.”

Magat’s emergence is definitely a welcome addition, as it gives NLEX their own version of twin towers with Poy Erram, who led the Road Warriors in Sunday’s win with 23 markers, 10 boards, six dimes, and five blocks.

“So, having Marion and Poy in the middle, especially with the absence of JR, really gave us the inside presence, both offense and defense,” said Guiao.

Magat admitted that he himself is surprised that he’s been delivering for the Road Warriors nicely, but he couldn’t be grateful enough for the MVP Group-owned franchise for giving him the chance to stay in the league.

#ReadMore  UAAP 86 HSVB: Marsh leads NUNS romp of UPIS for rebound win

“Nagulat din ako sa performance ko pero pinaghanda ko sarili ko,” said the National University product.

“Laking pasalamat ko sa NLEX kasi binigyan nila ako ng chance na maglaro sa PBA and mapakita yung talent na binigay sa’kin.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.




You May Also Like

Basketball

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao is keeping their options open as the team looks for possible upgrades following another PBA semifinal exit....

Basketball

Despite everything that came its way, TNT is marching on to the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals after showing Rain or Shine the...

Basketball

From the looks of it, TNT reaching the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals is no longer a matter of how, but has become...

Basketball

Yeng Guiao didn’t appreciate how rough the opposition got, especially during the second half of Rain or Shine’s eventual victory over TNT in Game...

Basketball

Rain or Shine capitalized on Roger Pogoy’s absence as it handed the depleted TNT a 107-86 beatdown to finally break through in the PBA...

Basketball

TNT lost yet another star but still found a way to come out victorious as it escaped Rain or Shine in overtime, 113-105, to...

Basketball

Roger Pogoy and Poy Erram showed the way as TNT foiled Rain or Shine, 98-91, to seize Game 1 of their PBA Season 49...

Basketball

Yeng Guiao couldn’t feel prouder to see his wards defy expectations yet again by bringing Rain or Shine to the PBA Season 49 Philippine...

Advertisement