By JONAS TERRADO
Coach Yeng Guiao compared his NLEX Road Warriors to perhaps a second-hand automobile that runs smoothly as they continue their dream run in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“Puro surplus lang tong mga piyesa natin dito,” Guiao said after the Road Warriors erased another huge deficit to escape with an 86-85 win over the defending champion Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
“At least yung makina namin gumagana naman. Puro reject at surplus, pero yung puso nila brand new,” added Guiao.
Guiao is finally enjoying his best conference since moving from Rain or Shine three years ago, as NLEX kept its hold on top in the tournament at 8-1, and in the process securing a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
The fiery mentor said NLEX has made things work with help from players who were discarded by their previous employers.
“Sila Philip Paniamogan at sila Bong Galanza mga reject lang ng PBA yan. Pero nagpapakita sila,” Guiao said of his wards, two former Kia players who at one point were relegated to the MPBL before NLEX took a chance at them last year.
“Si Kenneth Ighalo nga nung nag-trade kami, isinama lang na parang lollipop. Libre,” said Guiao in jest.
Ighalo was part of a 2017 trade involving Alex Mallari from Mahindra in exchange for Eric Camson and Glenn Khobuntin.
Guiao also mentioned bruising big man Michael Miranda, who was re-acquired after a woeful stint at TNT KaTropa as among the players that turned from garbage to gold while also reuniting with some of his former Rain or Shine players after forgotten stints with previous squads.
JR Quinahan has been a valuable part of NLEX’s rotation two years after being acquired from GlobalPort while Cruz has rejuvenated his career since a trade from TNT last June. Cruz was the hero of Sunday’s win when he scored a follow-up off Kiefer Ravena’s missed free throw with a second left.
“Si Mike Miranda nga reject lang ng TNT yan. Si Jericho Cruz tinapon lang ng TNT yan. Si JR Quinahan tinapon din yata ng NorthPort yan e,” added Guiao.
Of course, the motor won’t be running smoothly without quality parts, namely import Mike Harris, Ravena and Poy Erram.
The comeback came after Magnolia was poised for a lopsided win and led by 26 at one point. But NLEX slowly narrowed the gap, setting up a thrilling finish.
It was the second time NLEX erased a huge gap after coming back from 28 down to stun Barangay Ginebra San Miguel with a 113-111 overtime triumph in Dubai last month.
Guiao couldn’t figure out which of the two was the best comeback, but he lauded the team for refusing to quit on both occasions.
“It that competitive spirit, it’s the same spirit we had in Dubai that we showed here. I think that’s the kind of character that we need going into the tougher stage of this conference,” said Guiao.
“Hindi ko na masabi kung ano yung mas masarap na pakiramdam, yung sa Dubai or ito. Pero kasi yung Dubai, Ginebra tinalo mo ron e. Dito naman defending champion yung tinalo mo so wala kang tulak kabigin dito sa mga to. Parehong masarap manalo.”
