HERE’S how a turnaround in performance could change your fortunes in getting the no. 1 pick.
NLEX has a 70% chance of getting the top overall pick in the coming Rookie Draft, but the prospect of nabbing the best pick could slip out of its grasp with the way things are going in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Road Warriors have the second best record in the league, winning five of six games so far.
They have made a good run for the playoff right after defeating last season’s runner-up, the Meralco Bolts a few days ago.
NLEX is now one win away from securing an outright seat in the quarterfinal round.
But for head coach and general manager Yeng Guiao, getting the no. 1 pick in the coming Draft is the least of his concern now.
“Our goal is to fast-track the development of our team and enhance the maturity of this squad,” Mr. Guiao told BusinessWorld. “After two last place finishes, your objective is to make sure you’re going to see some improvement and we had shown some improvements this conference.”
Mr. Guiao believes the pool of players joining the Draft would be enough for them to get the additional players they will need.
“Let’s say we end up at no. 3, it is still OK for us,” he added.
The coming Rookie Draft is expected to be loaded with talented players as guys like Kiefer Ravena, Ray Parks, Jeron Teng, Fil-Am Devon Potts and Fil-German and Gilas naturalized player Christian Standhardinger expected to join.
REUNITED WITH OLD PLAYERS
First, JR Quiñahan. Second, Larry Fonacier. The latest one is Cyrus Baguio.
One by one, the old players of multi-titled mentor Yeng Guiao is coming back to his fold.
But Mr. Guiao, the head coach and general manager of the NLEX Road Warriors, clarified that he didn’t chase his old players for nostalgic case.
The fiery mentor welcomed these players who won championships with his previous teams, to be an integral part of a young, rebuilding squad like the Road Warriors.
“It wasn’t planned. It was coincidental,” said Mr. Guiao who will be reunited with Mr. Baguio for the first time since they were together in one team with Powerade Pilipinas, the country’s representative to the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship.
According to Mr. Guiao, the original plan was to allow the Road Warriors’ young players to undergo a process.
For two conferences, Mr. Guiao, who is in his first full season with the Road Warriors, tried to do it the natural way, but the team got eliminated early.
“We tried to do it the natural process, but we were not successful, so the next thing we did is find the pieces, players who are already more experienced to help the young players to grow,” added Mr. Guiao.
Mr. Guiao said Mr. Baguio, who was acquired recently by the Road Warriors in a trade involving Mac Baracael, Dylan Ababou and NLEX’s 2020 second round draft pick, and the other veterans like Messrs. Fonacier, Quiñahan and even Asi Taulava, the oldest player at 44 years old, don’t have many more playing years left.
“They were brought in to mentor the young players,” he added. — Rey Joble
