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.
“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.”
