PBA Season 43 Preview: Guiao optimistic as new recruits expected to bolster NLEX

Head Coach: Yeng Guiao
Key Players: Kevin Alas, Cyrus Baguio, JR Quiñahan, Asi Taulava
Key Additions: Kiefer Ravena, Michael Miranda
Key Losses: Jonas Villanueva, Carlo Lastimosa

NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao likes what’s in store for his team in the coming PBA season.

Guiao has his reasons for his bright outlook ahead of the 2018 Philippine Cup. The Road Warriors’ breakthrough campaign in the 2017 Governors’ Cup is one of those and so is the team’s offseason acquisitions.

“I’m very optimistic,” he told INQUIRER.net. “Especially with the new additions.”

“As long as we’re improving everyday in practice, we’re improving every conference, that’s what’s important for us.”

NLEX improved leaps and bounds in the Governors’ Cup last season after finishing dead last in the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup where it registered a 2-9 card in each of the two conferences.

The Road Warriors had a franchise-best start at 4-0 in the third conference and though they faltered midway en route to a quarterfinals exit, the team showed a lot of promise that Guiao hopes to finally be realized.

“We’ve shown that we can contend with the high-caliber teams. We just need a little bit of time together and we will be okay.”

Last season also witnessed the rise of Kevin Alas as one of the league’s rising stars. NLEX also added quality veterans in Larry Fonacier, Cyrus Baguio and JR Quiñahan, three players whom Guiao shared championships with back in his time with Red Bull and Rain or Shine.

The Road Warriors bolstered their roster yet again in the offseason when they selected Kiefer Ravena as the second overall pick in the 2017 PBA Draft.

Ravena is one of the most celebrated collegiate players during his time with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP. He also has vast experience playing in the international stage being a four-time Southeast Asian gold medalist and a young member of Gilas Pilipinaa.

From a player with that resumé, Guiao expects nothing less from Ravena.

“I know what I expect. I guess everybody knows what he can do so I’m no longer surprised with what he’s able to do for our team,” Guiao said. “And the good side is he’s going to get better and he’s going to be special in this league.”