NLEX five out to keep titled core

MANILA, Philippines — Five-time champion NLEX intends to keep its core even as some of its stars led by MVP Garvo Lanete go for one final run in the next PBA D-League conference starting March 18.

Lanete, who played a pivotal role in the Road Warriors’ bid to reclaim the crown, hopes for another strong showing in the Foundation Cup before joining this year’s pro draft.

“I’m hoping to improve more,” said Lanete. “I really want to prepare for the PBA.”

Lanete, along with Jake Pascual, Kevin Alas, Matt Ganuelas and Ola Adeogun, helped the Road Warriors regain the title with a 2-0 sweep of Big Chill in the Aspirants Cup championship series last Wednesday.

“A day after we lost in the last conference, we really made sure that we’ll come back,” Lanete said of the Road Warriors, who were swept by Blackwater Sports in last year’s finals after dominating the first four conferences.

NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez said he is sticking with his lineup even if he is expecting to lose most of them to the PBA Draft this year.

“We’re keeping our core,” said Fernandez. “We’re happy with our lineup and we’re looking forward to another good run next conference. We know some of our players will join the Draft, so we’re also looking for players who will form our core next season.”

The Road Warriors will get a Macau trip as bonus, but Fernandez said their break will be brief as the next conference rolls off in two weeks.

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