Streaking Warriors

Coach Yeng Guiao has gone through a lot lately, and it is understandable why he would want to savor this as much as he can.

NLEX gave Guiao something to be happy about after scoring a 105-99 nipping of Meralco as the Road Warriors claimed the early lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations on Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“[This] really feels good,” Guiao told reporters, minutes after their second straight win. “It’s been a long time since we put together two wins in a row.”

Not only have his Warriors failed to do this for a long time now, but Guiao was also coming off a disastrous Fiba World Cup stint with Gilas Pilipinas.

And this soothes the feeling a bit.

Defending champion Magnolia got back on track after ripping NorthPort, 96-80, in the second game.

The Hotshots, who got 28 points from Ian Sangalang, and the Batang Pier are now at 1-1.

Meanwhile, TNT and Barangay Ginebra try to catch NLEX at the top when they face separate foes in a Petron Saturday Special twinbill also at the Big Dome.

The KaTropa battle Rain or Shine at 4:30 p.m., before the Gin Kings tangle with Phoenix Pulse at 6:45 p.m.

JR Quiñahan led all NLEX shooters with 19 points, with five more players shooting twin digits.

Kiefer Ravena and Kenneth Ighalo both came off the bench to score 15 apiece, and import Olu Ashaolu scattered 17 for a balanced scoring effort.

And that was exactly what made the victory even sweeter, according to Guiao.

“We’re playing balanced basketball. To me, that’s the best news. We’re not just relying on our import,” he said. “Our locals are contributing on the offensive end.”

Ashaolu also grabbed 13 rebounds in NLEX’ first back-to-back triumphs since the Philippine Cup.

NLEX played tough enough defense that prevented the reliable Allen Durham from dominating for the Bolts, who dropped to 1-1.

Durham, a two-time best import award winner, finished with 32 points, with Raymond Almazan shooting 17. Both led a last-gasp stand in the fourth that came up just short for Meralco.

And that was all largely due to Guiao’s wards sticking to the plan.

“Our objective was if [Durham] was going to score, we should limit [Chris] Newsome, we should limit Baser [Amer] … Fortunately, we were able to do that,” he said.

Meralco hopes to bounce back at the expense of Alaska next Friday.

Guiao, meanwhile, hopes his charges sustain their sharp form in another test in the form of the Blackwater Elite next.

“We’re going to have a game this Sunday and I just hope we’re able to sustain [this],” the fiery mentor said.