NLEX coach Yeng Guiao. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
NLEX was left dealing with the same issues after reeling to its sixth loss in as many games on Wednesday.
The Road Warriors dropped an 85-82 decision to the GlobalPort Batang Pier, the team’s third game in only less than two weeks which it could’ve won.
It all boiled down in the the final minutes where NLEX just couldn’t find someone to turn to when the game is on the line, leaving head coach Yeng Guiao still on the lookout for a closer.
READ: GlobalPort posts first win, sends NLEX to 0-6 start
“We still cant find a win, it’s the same problem all over again. Finishing the games, we’re looking for guys who can carry us in the endgame and be our closers and finishers but so far, that’s where we’re lacking. We don’t have it yet,” Guiao told reporters.
“After our import, the next best scorer was Raul Soyud, who had 12, but 10 of those came in the first quarter so we are really struggling to contribute in the scoring and the guys that are expecting to provide us that are not really stepping up.”
Against GlobalPort, only Wayne Chism and Raul Soyud produced on the offensive end with Kevin Alas scoring just a point and Carlo Lastimosa and Garvo Lanete going scoreless.
READ: Alas takes blame for NLEX’s loss to TNT
Consistency remains another point of concern.
“Defensively we are okay, actually we are able to defend Pringle (5-of-19) and Romeo (3-of-12), so they were not the guys beating us, we were just beating ourselves because we couldn’t score,” Guiao said. “We were playing good defense but we couldn’t score, that’s really our problem ever since.”
“We’re trying to look for consistency with some of our guys and the system that we employ is supposed to involve most of them but we’re not getting the scoring that we want from a lot of them. It would’ve been nice if we have an import who scores 25 points while also getting at least 10 points from four or five other guys. But in our team, after Raul, it’s just seven or six points. We’re pushing them to take shots, but so far we haven’t been successful.”
Sitting at the bottom of the standings as the only remaining winless team in the conference, Guiao, jokingly, said he’s considering a way to possibly reverse his team’s fortunes.
“Actually, I may have to let myself be crucified just so our fortunes would change.” he said laughing. “But I guess it’s a time for reflection, so we will use it as a reflection and see what we can do for the team. “