A BIG question mark hangs over Terrafirma, centering mainly on its import, when it clashes with NLEX Tuesday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
So coach Jong Uichico is preparing for the worst-case scenario as he and his Road Warriors try to rack up a second straight win in three games.
"Di namin alam kung lalaro import nila o hindi," said Uichico on the eve of the match.
"Okay lang kung hindi siya lalaro, but we should be prepared for the eventuality na he will play para ma-sustain namin whatever we have gained so far," added Uichico.
As of posting time, there's still no word from Terrafirma on whether reinforcement Ryan Richards would play and help his side snap out of a 0-2 start.
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For unexplained reasons Richards saw action for only a second in Terrafirma's 101-113 loss to NorthPort last Saturday, four days after he debuted with 10 points, on 5-of-16 shooting, and 10 rebounds in an 87-116 loss to Converge
Should the 6-11, 260-lb Richards does play, Uichico admitted he would be a big match up problem for his side, but conveniently left unsaid the fact NLEX would be sure to employ a fast-paced game to offset the slow-footed the British-Jamaican.
"Mayroon naman siyang advantages and disadvantages iyang mga imports, eh," Uichico pointed out.
"Imports have their own strengths, so how you will be able to maximise their strengths ang tanong," added Uichico. "May weakness din naman so papaano mo maitatago weakness."
So far, Mike Watkins has posed no such concerns for NLEX as he is coming off a 26-point, 25-rebound effort in a 107-95 win over Blackwater that jacked his averages to 27.5 points and 22 rebounds over two games.
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Such performances, according to Uichico, should partly be credited to Robert Bolick for repeatedly setting up his teammates. The ace playmaker has also seemingly found his groove after just three points in a loss to NorthPort, nothing 23 points and 10 dimes against the Bossing.
Uichico also disclosed that Kevin Alas, who suited up for the Blackwater game but was not utilised for the second straight match, may finally see action for the first time in more than a year following his recovery from an ACL tear.
"There are plans of playing him tomorrow," bared Uichico. (NC)
