On the cusp of a playoff entry, the NLEX Road Warriors are determined to get going as they take on the Blackwater Elite at the resumption of the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
NLEX parades new trade recruit Cyrus Baguio while Blackwater reactivates Tristan Perez in lieu of Mac Belo as the two teams clash at 7 p.m.
The Road Warriors chase win No. 6 that could well guarantee the team of a playoff entry – a cherished goal for the team following woeful showings in the all-Filipino tourney and in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“We consider our game versus Blackwater as crucial because we calculate that six wins assures us of a quarters slot. The sooner we get to six wins the better our chances of working on the twice-to-beat advantage,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.
The Road Warriors, however, could well have their hands full against the Blackwater side boosted by its acquisition of tested PBA import Henry Walker.
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“Blackwater is always dangerous more now that they have a prolific import in Henry Walker who by the way played for this franchise last year,” said Guiao.
Walker came through with 32 points and 15 rebounds in his Blackwater debut, powering the Elite to a breakthrough win in the tourney with a 92-86 drubbing of the Fuel Masters on Aug. 6.
Blackwater chalked up a first win after dropping all its first three games with original import Trevis Simpson.
NLEX is at 5-1, winning its first four games then bouncing back from a loss the last time out with a 100-94 decision over the erstwhile unbeaten Meralco squad.
Aaron Fuller delivered 25 points and 18 rebounds while Kevin Alas, Larry Fonacier and JR Quinahan came through with double-digit outputs off the bench as the Road Warriors passed another good test.
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“Meralco is a good team especially in import-laden conference. They’re a good test and we passed a difficult test,” said Guiao, hoping his team to get better with the addition on Baguio.
Against Blackwater, Guiao said: “We plan to start the process of gelling Cyrus into the system.”
Baguio was among the vital cogs in Guiao’s title runs with the defunct Red Bull squad.
