NLEX has its sights trained on a top four finish in the PBA Governors Cup eliminations and is trying to bolster that bid by bringing in a big gun.
The Road Warriors are parading replacement import Manny Harris when they take on the Columbian Dyip Wednesday in a crucial match for both teams at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
NLEX is gunning for a second straight win that would give it a 5-1 slate and second-running spot, a position it intends to at least latch on for the remainder of the 11-game elims.
A top four finish is rewarded with a twice-to-beat advantage in the eight-team quarterfinals.
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Columbian is simply hoping to get past the elims for the first time under coach Johnedel Cardel and would move closer to that goal with a fitting follow-up to its 102-90 win over Blackwater last Friday.
Understandably, Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao is wary of the Dyip.
"I have two concerns coming into our game versus Columbian," revealed the grizzled tactician. "First is that they're a very dangerous team, one that's getting better every game. Their confidence level is very high and they are coming together as a team.
"Second is having a new import and blending him with the team in a short period of time. We're just hoping that we are able to defend their guards and import enough to minimize their efficiency."
Indeed, Harris arrived only last Saturday and Guiao had to cram just to get the Detroit native in synch with the system and his new teammates.
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That could work to Columbian's advantage, according to Cardel. "Siyempre, bago at hindi pa sanay dito sa PBA style of play kaya p'wedeng maging disadvantage sa kanila iyon," he said.
"Pero meron pa rin silang Kiefer (Ravena) and the other guards kaya we have to do a good job of defending their backcourt like what we did against Blackwater para mas gumanda chances naming manalo," added Cardel.
Ravena has been averaging 18.6 points, 9.40 assists and 5.0 rebounds and is coming off a 13-point, 17-assist performance in NLEX's 113-111 overtime victory over Barangay Ginebra last Oct. 5 in Dubai.
The "Phenom" has also been very active in helping Harris' acclimatization, having known the latter since their Texas Legends days in 2016.
Based on his wide experience, that included stints in Ukraine, Greece, China and most recently Turkey, Harris should be a quick study.
The former Michigan standout is a known scorer ever since his high school and college days that earned him stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and, briefly, with the Dallas Mavericks.
Even when he was relegated to the NBA D-League (now G-League), Harris' touch remained fiery, enabling him to set franchise single-game scoring records for the Canton Charge (46 points) and Los Angeles D-Fenders (56).
But the 30-year-old can also defend, rebound and create for his teammates, making him the logical choice when the decision to replace original import Olu Ashaolu was made. (NC)
