NLEX’s guard Kevin Alas. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–NLEX coach Yeng Guiao has two things on his wish list entering the homestretch of the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations, and he doesn’t care if a team on its farewell tour is standing in the Road Warriors’ way.
The Road Warriors on Wednesday clinched a quarterfinal slot in the season-ending conference after drubbing Alaska, 106-89 at Ynares Center in Antipolo, leading by as many as 29 points to snap the Aces’ winning streak at three games and brought the team that is leaving the league after 35 years back down to earth.
And after beating the enemy black-and-blue, he gave them a heartwarming tribute.
Orlando Johnson scored 23 points and Vic Manuel tossed in 22, leading San Miguel Beer to a 104-99 win over Phoenix in the second game.
San Miguel rose to 5-3 with the win, its second straight, while dooming the Fuel Masters to a 4-4 record.
‘Doing a good job’
NLEX’s import KJ McDaniels puts up a shot. PBA IMAGES
“I’d like to pay tribute to Alaska,” Guiao said. “They’ve been playing very well in spite of the load they’ve been carrying, the burden they’ve been carrying.”
“It’s difficult playing while you and your players’ future remains uncertain. But they’ve been very professional. [Alaska] Coach Jeff Cariaso has been doing a great job,” he added.
But Guiao and the Road Warriors had a job of their own to accomplish.
“We just wanted to win this game and assure ourselves entry to the quarterfinals,” Guiao said.
The second item on that list is a top four finish, and a twice-to-beat edge that goes with it.
After rising to 6-3, the Road Warriors have games against Rain or Shine and tailspinning defending champion Barangay Ginebra left, with wins likely giving NLEX that advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
“The last two games will see how far we can get,” Guiao said.
Import KJ McDaniels and skipper Kevin Alas rolled their sleeves early, accounting for 28 of NLEX’s 38 first-quarter points for a cushion that the Road Warriors held on to the rest of the way.
“[My performance] wasn’t by design. But that enabled us to win,” said Alas, who finished with 19 points and three rebounds. McDaniels had 27 and 11.
“But also credit to our other players. They came out to play. Whenever called, they deliver. And if not, no complaints,” he added.
Big triples
Jericho Cruz chipped in with 21 highlighted by two triples in the final frame to right the ship for NLEX somewhat after the Aces had come to within 13.
Alaska got 17 points from Abu Tratter and 14 from import Olu Ashaolu.
Alaska announced, through its owner, Wilfred Uytengsu, that it is leaving the league after its campaign here. The team has responded with two straight wins after that but clearly was in no form to slug it out with the Road Warriors.
Still, all is not lost for the Aces, who can fortify their bid to advance to the playoffs in the upper half of the draw by winning their last two games. Alaska has declared its intention to win a 15th franchise championship on its way out of the league, and qualifying in the lower half of the bracket would deal a great blow to that plan as it will need to beat its quarterfinal opponent twice in a row to advance to the semifinals.