NLEX is buoyed up by a breakthrough triumph the last time out but the Road Warriors believe they need to play a disciplined game if they're to nail a second straight win versus the GlobalPort Batang Pier in their game Wednesday.
GlobalPort could really be a dangerous lot coming from a loss to Magnolia Pambansang Manok Saturday
The Road Warriors, at 1-3, and the Batang Pier, at 2-2, square off in a PBA Commissioner's Cup elims matchup at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"We are encouraged by our last win. The atmosphere in practice is a lot more relaxed than the last few days. Our import is getting more comfortable with the local conditions. Overall, we feel a lot better with our game," said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.
But he insists they have to play better than they did in their 120-115 win over Phoenix Petroleum on Friday.
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"GlobalPort is a lot more potent offensively with (Sean) Anthony and (Stanley) Pringle leading the local charge and complimented well by their import. If our defense holds up without too many lapses, we can probably win another game," said Guiao.
Arnett Moultrie flirted with a triple-double game with 37 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists, while Larry Fonacier and Alex Mallari made clutch treys in overtime as NLEX finally broke into the win-column on a 120-115 decision over Phoenix Fuel at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
Fonacier and Mallari combined for six three-pointers, including two each on extension play, to save the day for the Road Warriors after blowing away a huge 19-point lead in the second quarter.
Before that game, the Road Warriors dropped their first three matches against Columbian Dyip, Rain or Shine and Meralco.
Meanwhile, the Batang Pier were stopped on their tracks as they scored only two points in the last four minutes of their road showdown with the Magnolia Hotshots in Angeles City Saturday.
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Magnolia employed a lockdown defense and turned to Pampanga pride Ian Sangalang for the clutch offensives in scoring a 92-87 victory.
GlobalPort edged Meralco, 86-85, then repulsed Blackwater, 117-106, before bowing to Magnola.(SB)
