Games Wednesday
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
5 p.m. – Blackwater vs Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m. – Ginebra vs NLEX
By REYNALD MAGALL0N
NLEX is out to prove that its winning streak is far from being a fluke as it hopes to open a crucial three-game stretch with a victory against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, May 7, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Road Warriors are currently on a roll and have already beaten two semifinalists in the last conference, though facing up against the Kings should be an entirely different challenge in the 7:30 p.m. affair.
Setting up the table is a clash between Blackwater and Rain or Shine, two teams looking to get back on track in the curtain raiser at 5 p.m.
NLEX star Robert Bolick is refusing to get too carried away by the three-game streak especially that the Road Warriors, who boast a 3-1 record, are having a gueling stretch coming up where they will face title contenders beginning with Ginebra.
After that, the Road Warriors also take on the still spotless Magnolia and then the defending champion Meralco.
“Malayo pa kami. Mabigat yung tatlong games namin. Dito kami masusubukan talaga,“ said Bolick who took over down the stretch to help NLEX finally shake off Blackwater, 80-72, in their last game.
If there’s something that Bolick can hold on to heading into the game against the Kings, it is the fact that his team is finally playing sweet music together.
“Lahat nag-contribute, ang ganda nang ginawa namin yung second half nung minove namin yung bola kasi ang ganda ng depensa nila. So yun yung galangan namin as a team. Sabi nga ni coach, pinipreach lagi,” said Bolick.
“Time to shine din naman nila. Yun yung pinipreach ni coach sa akin lagi na yung teammates mo kailangan pagandahin mo rin. So yun yung tinatrabaho namin,” he added as head coach Jong Uichico gets ample contributions form the likes of Anthony Semerad, JB Bahio, Kevin Alas and Xyrus Torres.
Such depth, indeed, should be key for NLEX if it hopes to keep up with the weapons that Ginebra has at its disposal.
Even the recently activated Jayson David has proven to be a potent contributor after firing 25 points in just 21 minutes in the Kings 131-106 victory over the NorthPort Batang Pier.
Of course, Ginebra is still expected to lean on Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Stephen Holt, RJ Abarrientos and Jamie Malonzo to lead the way.
