Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Olu Ashaolu looks to adjust as first game with NLEX now in the books


Even if he had a solid debut for the NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday night as far as individual stats are concerned, Olu Ashaolu is still hoping to get better and adjust to the PBA’s style of play.

Ashaolu is supposed to play in the 2018 Governors’ Cup, but due to Arnett Moultrie’s injury – plus the team’s aims of preparing for the season-ending conference – he was activated for their final game of the Commissioner’s Cup.

The Nigerian-Canadian impressed with 31 points on 50 percent shooting alongside 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough, as the Road Warriors lost to the quarterfinal-nearing Magnolia Hotshots by a huge margin, 89-116.

“I’ve been in Japan for the past four years. The game is called a bit differently, 48-minute game compared to 40-minute game. That’s a bit of an adjustment for me, the 48 minutes,” reflected Ashaolu after the match.

“And playing through contact,” he added. “They kinda let you play here which is more so suited for my kind of style. I had to adjust the last four years in Japan.

“Now, I can go back to playing the way I like to play: playing through contact.”

The Road Warriors’ run in the mid-season tilt ended the way they never thought it would. From a semifinal finish in the 2018 Philippine Cup, NLEX concluded the Commissioner’s Cup with a dismal 2-9 win-loss record.

But even with this, Ashaolu is confident that the team will have a better turnaround come the Governor’s Cup. And the coming break will only help NLEX even more – they will play in the Summer Super 8 in Macau this month.

#ReadMore  James Yap nothing but thankful to Caloy Garcia

‘From my perspective, first game, we got some chemistry, some good talent, I feel confident about us taking this break, this headstart heading into next conference and start building as a team,” said Ashaolu.

“I feel confident.”

Written By

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


You May Also Like

Basketball

Experience was the difference as Rain or Shine completed its upset of the twice-to-beat NLEX, 103-92, to formalize the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup...

Basketball

Jhonard Clarito did a little bit of everything to help Rain or Shine disarm the twice-to-beat NLEX, 92-89, and send their PBA Season 49...

Basketball

JB Bahio’s hard work has finally paid off. The 6-foot-5 big man from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu signed a two-year contract extension with the NLEX...

Basketball

Just days before entering the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup Quarterfinals, the NLEX Road Warriors took a detour to visit Sitero Francisco Memorial National High...

Basketball

Cade Flores’ dominant double-double performance helped NorthPort deal a significant blow to NLEX’s top-seed aspirations, escaping with a thrilling 113-108 victory to snap an...

Basketball

Robert Bolick and Xyrus Torres led a furious comeback for NLEX, rallying from a 19-point deficit to hand Magnolia another tough loss, 107-99, and...

Basketball

Finally, the much-celebrated duo of Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon is starting to make beautiful music together in NLEX. High expectations surrounded the pair...

Basketball

NLEX formalized the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarterfinal picture by giving Phoenix the boot, 105-95, on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. The...

Advertisement