IT COULD be said that NLEX got some luck of the draw when it beat two teams that are making their respective debut and thus have yet to fully get their acts together in the PBA Philippine Cup.
That could not be said of the Blackwater Bossing, who have just sprung to life on their third game and are now eager to add the Road Warriors to their list of victims Friday in the league's first-ever sortie at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.
No wonder NLEX coach Jong Uichico remains cautious while exhorting his players to come up with an even better performance than in their back-to-back wins over Rain or Shine and TNT as they bid to jack their record to 3-1.
"First game ng Rain or Shine, first game ng TNT, that's also a factor na ganu'n 'yung laro nila. Pero ganito rin ang laro namin so it works both ways," said Uichico following a 91-74 win over the Tropang 5G last April 23.
"I'm happy with how we are playing. Consistency is the key next and to keep on improving," added Uichico, "because after this one hindi na first game 'yung mga kalaban namin. Nakapaglaro na sila."
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Indeed, Blackwater has shown it is far removed from the same team that dropped its first two matches by an average of 26.5 points, pulling off a dominant 120-98 conquest of NorthPort last April 25.
Major factors for the turnaround, according to Blackwater coach Jeffrey Cariaso, is his relievers rising to the occasion and the team as a whole moving and sharing the ball, resulting in a 60-29 advantage in bench points and their conference-best 24 assists.
"Everyone stepped up and played well regardless if they're starting or coming off the bench," Cariaso pointed out.
"That's really the attitude we really ought to have each and every game. You have to understand that you are needed and you're reliable so it's important that you make yourself reliable and ready to play. That was my challenge to them today," added Cariaso.
NLEX is not about to slide down the slopes of Sierra Madre, where the municipality, now officially named as Rodriguez, is located with Uichico noting how his players put in the extra work before and after practice that bear fruits during games.
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That work ethic now moves the Road Warriors closer to where Uichico wants them to be. "Maganda ipinapakita as a team and I think we are in that process na unti-unti makakadating tayo doon," he stated.
As well as the likes of RK Ilagan, Richard Escoto, Troy Mallilin and Mike Ayonayon played the last time out, Sedrick Barefield and Christian David are still expected to set the tone for Blackwater
For its part, NLEX is again sure to be led by Robert Bolick with Javee Mocon and Anthony Semerad providing chief support along with surprising rookies Xyrus Torres and JB Bahio, who all shone against TNT. (NC)
