Rome was not built in a day. That is the mantra coach Yeng Guiao has lived by ever since taking over the helm as the head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors last October.
And as the losses piled up, the NLEX brass deemed that change needed to happen.
During the Commissioner’s Cup, the Road Warriors figured in numerous transactions that netted them Larry Fonacier, JR Quinahan, and Alex Mallari — all of whom have been part of winning traditions with the TNT Katropa, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and Star Hotshots respectively.
The moves the franchise made are starting to bear fruit, as NLEX — a team that had accumulated just four wins during the first two conferences — are in the upper echelon of teams in the Governors Cup with a 5-1 slate. And it was an unexpected turnaround, even for Fonacier.
“I didn’t expect this start, but I saw that this team was capable,” shared the 12-year pro after NLEX slayed the Meralco Bolts’ previously-unbeaten slate, 100-94.
According to the seven-time PBA champion, he had faith in the talent that the young Road Warriors possessed. The only thing the team lacked was the confidence which is what he, Quinahan, and Mallari constantly reminds them of.
“The players here, they have the talent, they just needed people to remind them that winning was possible even if last two conferences that wasn’t the case,” admitted Fonacier, who finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and two steals.
“They just needed to have someone remind them that there’s a way to win and we can do it together.”
But even with NLEX’s blazing start, Fonacier, who was a huge part of the turnaround for the Ateneo de Manila University basketball program back in the early 2000’s, believes that this just the beginning and that the best has yet to come for the Road Warriors.
“I can’t say it’s a transformation na; it’s a good start. We have a goal set and we haven’t made it there,” said the 2011-12 Philippine Cup Finals MVP. “But like I said, every day I just try to give confidence to my teammates. We just try to build a culture of confidence, just making each other believe that we can do this.
“Just because we’re NLEX, because it’s NLEX on our jerseys doesn’t mean that it’s not possible anymore to compete at the highest level.”
