All-heart Road Warriors are top seeds for a reason

NLEX coach Yeng Guiao feels that the view his Road Warriors have from the top of the PBA Governors’ Cup is something long overdue.

“Maybe it’s about time that we stepped up after a string of disappointments in [the past],” he said Sunday night, shortly after a thrilling 86-85 decision of defending champion Magnolia in Antipolo on Sunday that kept them atop the standings and gave them a twice-to-beat privilege in the first round of the playoffs.

Yet the fiery mentor is also the first to be wary of the precarious spot his team is now in.

“That’s the worst thing you could think of right now,” he said when asked whether the leader tag makes them feel they are the hottest team in the league.

If anything, Guiao believes his squad has a long way to go, even after improving vastly from two futile campaigns this season.

“We’re a team that’s still learning,” he said. “As I keep on saying, I think we lack experience.”

Inexperienced though they may be, the Road Warriors own victories against the toughest teams in the tournament—Meralco, crowd-darling Barangay Ginebra, and TNT.

Their only loss came at the hands of mighty San Miguel Beer in Dubai, in a game which they had a shot at winning in the dying seconds.

“We’re also not the most talented team,” he added “Kiefer (Ravena) is practically a rookie. Jericho (Cruz) was a reject from TNT. JR (Quiñahan) was thrown away by NorthPort.”

“What we have here are surplus (parts),” Guiao offered. “At least we’ve got our engine humming.”

“We’re a crew of rejects and surplus parts. But their hearts? All brand-new,” said the multi-titled Guiao, proudly.