NLEX is not about to take its foot off the pedal despite having a sliding NorthPort as its final elimination round opponent Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Coach Jong Uichico said his Road Warriors intend to use the 5 p.m. match to keep on getting better as a team despite having an 8-2 record that clinched for them a top four berth and a twice-to-beat advantage in the ensuing quarterfinals.
"The main goal is to get better every day. You still have to remain sharp, despite being in the quarterfinals, twice-to-beat," said Uichico.
"Kailangan sharp minds, sharp physically. Kasi minsan pag maaga pagpasok mo, medyo you lose a little bit of focus," added Uichico. "So reminders lang every day, to keep your focus and bear in mind what the real goal is."
Actually, NLEX can even emerge as the 11-game elims' topnotcher should it prevail over a NorthPort side that has lost eight straight, currently toting a 1-8 slate, and long eliminated from contending for a slot in the playoffs.
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Still, Uichico is bothered a bit by the uncertainty of where his team will really land after the elims and which would be his Road Warriors' opponent in the quarterfinals.
Should NLEX cop No. 1 it would face the eighth-ranked team while its unlikely relegation to No. 2 means a face-off with the seventh seed.
Adding to Uichico's wary approach is the status of Anthony Semerad, Javee Mocon, Dom Fajardo and Matt Nieto, who are nursing injuries.
"Do we rest them? Do we play them? Medyo may sakit-sakit talaga, eh. So gameday decision sila," said Uichico.
One thing for sure is that NLEX is not going to simply show up. "Maraming hindi namin kontrolado, pero still hindi naman magbabago approach natin sa laro," stated Uichico.
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"We will approach it like a game we should win, for another improvement in our game," added Uichico. "We will still approach it like a bearing game, in terms of us continuing to improve pa." (NC)
