Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Head coach Yeng Guiao turned to his old
reliables in hopes to turn NLEX’s fortunes around as he welcomes back two of his former players.
Guiao is set to reunite with JR Quiñahan and Larry Fonacier as part of the rebuilding Road Warriors. The two veterans headlined a four-team, seven-player trade, approved by the PBA Saturday.
NLEX also received Mahindra’s 2017 second round pick and GlobalPort’s 2019 second rounder in the deal.
In exchange, the Road Warriors sent Garvo Lanete to the Bolts while also trading Sean Anthony and Bradwyn Guinto to the Batang Pier.
Rookie guard Jonathan Grey was also sent to GlobalPort while TNT reacquired its 2017 first round pick along with Anthony Semerad.
Quinahan is averaging 10.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in 27 minutes on the floor with the Batang Pier this conference while Fonacier is norming 7.0 points per night.
Fonacier and Quiñahan had previously experienced individual success and won championships under Guiao in their days with Red Bull and Rain or Shine, respectively.
Both add stability, leadership and shooting to an NLEX side which lacks mental toughness due to its inability to close out games.
The Road Warriors shook up their roster anew just a day after acquiring Alex Mallari from Mahindra.
Meanwhile, Anthony and Guinto will have a chance to fortify GlobalPort’s lean frontline, while Grey could provide the much needed scoring for the team, which is missing the services of Terrence Romeo.
At Meralco, Lanete also reunites with Baser Amer, whom he was teammates with in their collegiate days with San Beda.