Road Warriors take on Dyip

NLEX breaks in a new import in Manny Harris on Wednesday when the Road Warriors collide with Columbian in the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Though going 4-1 with first choice Olu Ashaolu, the Road Warriors are making the switch to someone who is a tested scorer as NLEX primes up to take on the big guns in the playoffs.

Harris had stints with Cleveland, the LA Lakers and Dallas in the NBA and holds some scoring records in the NBA D-League. He will be tested by the stingy Dyip defense in the 4:30 p.m. contest.

Meanwhile, Magnolia import Romeo Travis is listed as a gametime decision and Blackwater reactivated Marqus Blakely as the two sides clash in the 7 p.m. game with the defending champion Hotshots trying to keep in step with the teams in the upper half of the standings.

“We’re playing a very dangerous team, one that’s improving every game,” NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said as his well-rested wards shoot for a follow-up to a 113-111 overtime win over Barangay Ginebra last week in Dubai.

“(Another concern) is having a new import and blending him in on time,” Guiao went on. “We are just hoping that we are able to defend their (Dyip’s) guards.”

Kiefer Ravena has been the most consistent—and prolific—local for Guiao, averaging close to 19 points.

And he has gone above and beyond his duties for the Road Warriors by getting Harris acclimatized, so to speak. They played together for the Texas Legends in 2016.

Harris arrived just last Saturday. After playing in the NBA, he took his act to Ukraine, Greece and China and if his credentials hold, NLEX could have someone who can battle San Miguel Beer’s Dez Wells, TNT’s KJ McDaniels and Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee offensively.