Pre-tourney fave NLEX opens bid vs PC Gilmore

MANILA, Philippines—NLEX loaded its lineup with more amateur stars, but coach Boyet Fernandez said team chemistry is still in the works as his Road Warriors start their title defense in the PBA D-League Monday.

The Road Warriors, who shored up their backcourt with three collegiate standouts, kick off their campaign in the Aspirants’ Cup versus PC Gilmore at 2 p.m. at the Adamson gym.

“It’s how we will play that worries me,” said Fernandez. “Lucky for us, it’s a long tournament and we still have time to work on our chemistry.”

Freego Jeans, meanwhile, aims to follow up on its big opening-day win against Boracay Rhum in the second game at 4 p.m.

Fernandez said preparation has been tough for the Road Warriors, who loaned five of their players to the Sinag Pilipinas team that will compete in the Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta next week.

“I can’t even have a full scrimmage during practice because I’m saving the legs of my players who are practicing with the national team,” said Fernandez.

New recruits RR Garcia, the former UAAP MVP and Far Eastern U star, Ateneo’s Emman Monfort and San Beda’s Garvo Lanete have been dividing their time between NLEX and the national team along with Filipino-Americans Clifford Hodge and Chris Ellis.

“[Our first game] will be a big test for our team, but we’ll be ready,” said Fernandez.

PC Gilmore, which absorbed a 52-85 drubbing from Freego last week, expects another tough outing against the title-favorite Road Warriors.

“NLEX has an all-star lineup and it would take a great effort for us to beat them,” said Wizards team consultant Richard del Rosario.

The Wizards, now mentored by Art dela Cruz, are banking on Mark Acosta, Eric Agas, Jet Vidal and Mark Sarangay.

Del Rosario said the Wizards again need to deal with the absence of Filipino-Americans Kelly Nabong and Alfred Mandani, who are still waiting for the release of pertinent documents from the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID).