Despite missing their two top scorers, the NLEX Road Warriors were able to pick up their second win of the season last Wednesday — taking a 93-89 win over the Blackwater Elite.
It was a morale-boosting win for the down Road Warriors, since it came just two days after Kiefer Ravena was slapped with an 18-month suspension by the International Basketball Federation.
But the TNT Katropa handed them a reality check, handing the Road Warriors a 117-106 loss and dealing them a 2-5 card.
“Well, siguro that’s the positive,” Guiao said about keeping pace with TNT, as NLEX were able to gain a one-point lead during the third frame after falling by as much as 21 points.
“But we still feel kind of frustrated even if we know somehow we put up a fight. Maybe deep in our hearts parang may slim chance, some flicker of hope that’s still there,” the second-year Road Warriors head coach Added. “That’s why it still feels frustrating. We still feel angry not being able to close it out very because during the last four to five minutes we still had a chance to win.
“Kulang lang talaga kami sa firepower.”
One of the Road Warriors who has been pegged to step up in lieu of Ravena and Kevin Alas is Alex Mallari.
During the last two games, the six-year veteran has been averaging 12.5 points per contest.
Though he says that there’s pressure on him, the four-time champion believes that he and the rest of NLEX’s veterans should step up to the plate.
“I guess you could say there’s more pressure on me but the responsibility should also fall on the other veterans, Larry [Fonacier], JR [Quinahan], and Cyrus [Baguio]. Today, I was just more aggressive,” the 6-foot-4 combo guard shared.
“I’ll take responsibility as well as the other guys.”
The Road Warriors are facing the toughest remaining games schedule in the league with Blackwater, Phoenix, Meralco, and TNT are still on deck for them. Still, Mallari remains unfazed, firmly believing that there is still a chance for them.
“I’m optimistic for now. As long as the math is still there, we’re gonna keep on fighting. We got guys who still think we can do it so we’ll fight until the end, period.”
