NLEX made quite a stir by dominating a heavily favored opponent in their very first game.
It's now a matter of the Road Warriors aiming to raise more eyebrows when they tangle with an undermanned North Port side Snday in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
A follow-up victory by NLEX on its 103-90 shocker over TNT just last Friday would give it the early lead in the season-ending tourney.
Not bad at all for practically the same team that wound up second-to-last in the recent Commissioner's Cup.
What makes the win more impressive is the fact the Road Warriors fashioned it despite the absence of head coach Yeng Guiao and veteran center Asi Taulava, both with the national team seeing action in the Asian Games in Indonesia.
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North Port, formerly known as GlobalPort, also has Stanley Pringle on loan to the Nationals and now also have to see action minus the injured Sean Anthony.
Still, Batang Pier coach Pido Jarencio maintains his team is ready to go.
"NLEX played a good game against TNT last night. Their import is strong," said Jarencio on the eve of the match.
"We have to play our A-game tomorrow to beat NLEX."
Indeed, Olu Ashaolu was suffering from a slight patellar tendon tear but still managed to scatter 33 points, 23 rebounds and 3 assists against TNT.
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It was not an all-Ashaolu show for NLEX, however.
Mark Tallo, picked up in the late stages of the last conference to help make up for the absence of backcourtmen Kevin Alas (injury) and Kiefer Ravena (suspended), continued to impress with 16 points.
Team captain Larry Fonacier chipped in 14 points and 4 rebounds while new acquisitions Philip Paniamogan and Bong Galanza quickly made an impact for the Road Warriors by combining for 20 points and shoring up the squad's perimeter defense.
A glimpse of how Rashad Woods has fit in with North Port's locals, now led mainly by Nico Elorde, Jonathan Grey, Ryan Arana, Gabby Espinas and Bradwyn Guinto, should be one of the sidelights of the match.(NC)
