Games on Friday
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
5:15 p.m. – Terrafirma vs NLEX
7:30 p.m. – Magnolia vs Meralco
Team Standings
Group A
NLEX 6-0
San Miguel 5-2
TNT 3-3
Converge 3-4
Terrafirma 2-4
Macau 2-5
Titan 2-5
Group B
Rain or Shine 4-2
Phoenix 4-2
Blackwater 3-3
Magnolia 2-3
Ginebra 2-3
Meralco 2-4
LOOKING GOOD with a new franchise-best 6-0 start, it would be easy for NLEX to start entertaining thoughts of building its own kingdom.
But the NLEX Road Warriors aren’t about to fall for the trap, preferring to take this drive for the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup crown inch by inch.
“Honestly, the only time we’re reminded of it is after the game,” import DeQuan Jones said about the Road Warriors’ perfect run so far in Group A.
He shared that debuting coach Jimmy Alapag has set the proper mindset from the get-go, one that would serve them well as the pressure of being an undefeated leader mounts.
“He said we’re going to have a next-play mentality. And so we’re taking every game one at a time. We literally focus and hone in and put all of our energy into our next accomplishment because we know what we want to achieve and that’s going to be brick by brick,” said Mr. Jones.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day, I think that’s the quote. And we know and understand that and we’re just taking it brick by brick.”
NLEX’s hot opening has given Mr. Alapag himself the honor as the first ever rookie coach to go six-for-six in his maiden conference.
But true to his preaching, the former Gilas Pilipinas and TNT legend isn’t getting carried away.
“It’s not easy winning six in a row in the PBA but it’s credit to our guys for staying resilient and continuing to fight and scrap and weather whatever challenges we faced so far this early in the conference,” he said.
“But at the same time, we understand you know, there’s still so much work to be done.”
Mr. Alapag and his troops try to extend their unbeaten streak to a seventh game on Friday in their second-round opener against Terrafirma (2-4) at 5:15 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Meanwhile, Magnolia (2-3) and Meralco (2-4) duke it out at 7:30 p.m., both determined to give their campaigns in Group B a boost.
The Hotshots, fresh from their 88-73 drubbing of Manila Clasico rival Ginebra, sit at fourth in the six-team bracket while the Bolts, currently on a three-game slide, occupy the rear. — Olmin Leyba