NLEX may already be in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, but it doesn't mean the Road Warriors are about to relax.
More so now that a far higher reward awaits NLEX should it rack up wins in its remaining elimination round games, starting with the one against Phoenix Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Road Warriors are targeting a seventh win in nine games that should at least put them at second-running spot. More victories against Magnolia on Friday and NorthPort on June 11 and coach Jong Uichico and his charges should be assured of a top four finish.
The top four finishers in the 11-game eliminations would enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage over the lower-ranked teams in the eight-team quarterfinals and that is exactly where Uichico's sights are trained on.
"Siyempre, pasok ka nga pero all the other (qualifiers) want to be in the top four. Alam naman natin almost all teams six wins. We still have to keep on winning as many games as we can," said Uichico on the eve of the match that starts at 5 p.m.
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"The idea is to get to the top four, not just to get into the quarterfinals," stressed Uichico.
Phoenix should be one tough nut to crack. Despite a 2-6 slate that puts the Fuel Masters at ninth, they could still play off for the last quarterfinals slot should they sweep their last three games and no one among the other contenders get more than five wins.
Aside from Phoenix's additional motivation, there's another reason why Uichico considers the Fuel Masters a dangerous team. "They know already their identity so ang hirap kalaban ang teams na they know their identity," he explained.
"Kasi they thrive on that, win or lose. So it's hard to play teams like those."
The same could be said of NLEX, despite its franchise-best winning streak cut short at six by a 108-92 loss to Meralco last Sunday, so Uichico opined the game should be a toss-up.
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"Pagdating sa ganyan, kung sino who plays to their capability," said Uichico. "If they stop you from doing your strengths then they win. Pero if you exploit their weakness then mas lalaki chances mo."
Tempering Uichico's positivity are the questionable status of Richie Rodger, Mike Miranda, Enoch Valdez, Jonnel Policarpio and Dominic Fajardo due to injury or illness.
"You always have to find a way. Having injuries is a reason, but it is not an excuse to find a way," stated Uichico.
"Alam naman ng players iyon, na whatever it is, lumaban lang tayo, kung ano nandiyan," added Uichico. "Hindi naman natin kontrolado injuries so lalaban lang tayo." (NC)
