NLEX received the contributions it yearned for from the other Road Warriors in Game Two of its PBA Governors’ Cup semis affair with Ginebra, Friday.
A total of five locals came through with double-digit performances, indeed a marked improvement from the series opener two days ago where Kevin Alas provided the lone support to Cameron Clark with 17 in the 86-95 defeat.
Leading the way was rookie Matt Nieto with 19 points. Alas and Justin Chua made 12 points apiece, as Kris Rosales and JR Quinahan each had 10.
There was one problem, however. Clark, after registering 30 and 13 in Game One, only had 15 and five due to foul trouble. He was booted out still with 6:30 remaining in the game after being whistled for his sixth personal foul.
Worse, the local support wasn’t enough for them to equalize the series, and the Road Warriors fell into a 0-2 hole following a 94-104 loss.
“Sa’min, our locals scored a little better. But nawala naman scoring ng import namin, only fifteen points,” lamented the champion mentor moments after the defeat at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Clark was clearly outplayed by counterpart Justin Brownlee, who led the Barangay with 32 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
But what really made it more difficult for NLEX, offered Guiao, was the way Ginebra’s locals played as four of them finished in twin figures.
“The difference between 32 and 15 is 17, and hindi niya na-cancel out ‘yung performance ni Brownlee. And then not having to cancel out that performance, na-involve pa locals ng Ginebra, which complicates our problem,” he said.
Christian Standhardinger and Scottie Thompson finished with 17 points each and combined for 23 rebounds, as the two registered double-doubles.
Then there was also LA Tenorio, who supplied 15 points and seven assists. Fellow guard Nards Pinto chimed in 10 markers, all of which he made in the second as he led his side in wiping out an 11-point deficit.
“We feel kasi, we can afford to give Brownlee his numbers. But what we couldn’t afford is allowing the locals to be involved. Nung una, nagpahabol sa kanila is si Pinto. Then dumating sina LA, sina Scottie,” Guiao said.
NLEX is now in a dangerous spot, since one wrong move on Sunday would mean the end of the line. Still, Guiao is defiant, keen on getting that breakthrough with the hope that it would change the complexion of the series.
“We’re trying to get our first win,” said the outspoken coach. “If we can get that first win maybe the complexion (of the series) is going to change.
“We’re not giving it up easily. Di naman namin ibibigay nang ganoon na lang.”
And to do so, Guiao may have to seek more help from his bench, as he’s tinkering on the idea of fielding Michael Miranda and Raul Soyud.
Both big men have yet to see action in the semis because, according to the 63-year-old bench tactician, their pace changes when the two are inside. But as the old saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures.
“Wala silang injuries. Pero ‘yung matchups nga, bumabagal kami pagka malalaki kami,” Guiao said.
“That is also something we hope to look at Sunday — how to get them involved, how to give them some minutes.”
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