After opening the game with an explosive dunk, NLEX Road Warriors reinforcement DeQuan Jones didn’t particularly play well in the first three quarters against the Converge FiberXers on Saturday. But as a seasoned veteran, he came alive in the fourth quarter to help his team notch its fifth win of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
After securing a 119-107 victory over the FiberXers, the 36-year-old forward said he has taken a different approach to leadership with the young NLEX squad, upon the instructions of the coaching staff.
“Yeah, I think it’s a credit to the spirit of the team. Me as a veteran, my approach is, how can I help these guys get better,” said Jones. “I know traditionally, usually, the import is the pillar of what the team does, and then the supporting cast, they support him, but you know, I try to take coach, the staff, takes a different approach.”
Jones finished with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block but allowed his teammates to do their thing. Unsurprisingly, the locals stepped up again, with Schonny Winston scoring 24 points, followed by Robert Bolick with 19, Anthony Semerad with 15, and Kevin Alas with 14.
DeQuan Jones Explains His Role
Moreover, DeQuan Jones said his focus this conference is on blending well with NLEX’s young leaders, believing that this approach is the key to long-term sustainability.
“It’s ‘How can I complement these guys?’ and ‘What can I do to make these guys better?’” he said of his role with NLEX. “With the stats, with the numbers, everything is spread out, everybody’s happy, we’re sharing the ball, moving the ball, it’s fun to play, and even better to watch, so you know that’s our approach—and as long as we’re winning, that’s the key to sustainability as the season progresses.”
Over the course of five games and five wins, it’s safe to say DeQuan Jones has done an excellent job of balancing his leadership role while allowing Bolick and Winston to take over games when needed.
Now the only unbeaten team left in the league, the Road Warriors will have DeQuan Jones’ leadership tested once again when they face the TNT Tropang 5G on Tuesday, August 4, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
