NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao was caught by surprise when told that the last team Blackwater had beaten before its historic slump was actually his own.
Way before the Bossing owned the PBA’s record of futility, they beat the Road Warriors by way of a 98-88 decision in the 2020 Philippine Cup in Clark.
“Hindi ko alam,” the champion mentor told the league’s chief statistician and Tiebreaker Times columnist Fidel Mangonon III, when asked if he was aware of that fact.
“‘Yun ba ‘yun? Buti ngayon mo lang sinabi. Kinabahan kami kung alam namin ‘yun.”
Such a response drew laughter from the press people at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. But turning serious, Guiao said that it wasn’t really lost on them that Blackwater could end its woes at NLEX’s expense when they met Friday.
The Road Warriors took care of business with a 117-97 win to get back on track in the 2022 Governors’ Cup. But he offered that it could’ve been a different story had import Shawn Glover received more support.
A replacement for the injured Jaylen Bond, the American cager produced 39 points and 15 rebounds. But outside of him, only rookie Rey Suerte and Mike Ayonayon finished in double figures with 11 markers apiece.
Photo by PBA images
“We were wary that that could happen.
“Their import played really good basketball. Very efficient. Siguro kung may ilang lang locals na nakasuporta sa kanya, we would’ve been in trouble,” said Guiao.
But then again, his wards proved to be too much to handle for Blackwater. KJ McDaniels led NLEX with 24 points and 11 rebounds, though four other players also made their mark in the triumph that snapped their three-game skid.
Jericho Cruz made 22 points and five assists. Kris Rosales set 18 points on three triples. Kevin Alas was back to his usual ways with 15 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Don Trollano added 11.
“Jericho played really well, si Kevin in the endgame, KJ was his usual self,” lauded Guiao. “I guess our offense comes easier if we’re playing good defense right from the start. That’s exactly what happened today.”
Not wanting to fall victim and be tagged as the team that Blackwater beat to end its losing skid was also a motivation for NLEX, Guiao admitted.
“We also felt Blackwater is due for a win at some point. Medyo… siyempre, ayaw namin na kami pa ‘yung mabiktima nila. That was in our minds,” said the outspoken mentor, as the Bossing dropped their 26th straight game.
More than that, though, waking up from their own funk was really the main objective of the Road Warriors for Friday’s assignment.
“Gusto lang namin ma-break ‘yung losing streak,” said Guiao. “After a good start where we won four games, we lost three straight.
“We felt that if we lost again, this would be a big hole that we might not be able to come out from. So, importante ‘yung panalo sa amin.”
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