NLEX looking forward to Governor’s Cup, says Guiao

NLEX coach Yeng Guiao. (File photo by TRISTAN TAMAYO / INQUIRER.net)

NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao said Friday the team is now looking forward to the third conference to turn their season around.

The Road Warriors languish at the bottom of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a disastrous 0-9 card, and with just a couple of games remaining on their schedule, Guiao decided to start preparing for the Governors’ Cup.

“We only have two games left, so we really don’t have a chance to make it to the playoffs, so we’re using the next two months to prepare ourselves, not to be a little better, but to be a lot better,” said Guiao after San Miguel handed them their ninth loss, 114-109. “We have to be a lot better compared to what we’ve accomplished in this conference.”

Guiao added they were in the process of bringing in 6-foot-6 import Aaron Fuller to the country.

The 27-year-old Fuller graduated from the University of Southern California in 2013 where he teamed up with now San Antonio Spur Dewayne Dedmon.

Fuller had his most productive year with the Trojans back in the 2012-2013 season where he started all of his 18 games and averaged 10.61 points and 5.94 rebounds.

He last played for Fuerza Regia in Mexico.

“We’re bringing in our import early. Maybe he’ll arrive on the last week of May or early June so that we can practice with him early,” said Guiao.

The Road Warriors, before playing against San Miguel, acquired Larry Fonacier, JR Quiñahan, Alex Mallari, and Kenneth Ighalo and Guiao said his new players were still getting used to his team.

Fonacier, however, wasn’t able to play due to the removal of bone spurs in his foot.

“I think it’s still adjustment period for our new acquisitions but they played well, JR did not have too many issues with adjusting because he knows the system very well [after playing for me in Rain or Shine],” said Guiao.

Quiñahan, in his first game in NLEX, finished with 12 points and five boards. /atm