The NLEX Road Warriors returned to action in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday like a team ready for the playoffs, handing out a historic 138-78 beating on the Macau Giant Pandas to secure a seat in the quarterfinals. Six Road Warriors finished in double figures in the rout, with Schonny Winston and new import Deonte Burton spearheading the attack with 25 and 22 points, respectively.
Needless to say, the Road Warriors didn’t look past the Giant Pandas, which is exactly what coach Jimmy Alapag wanted as his team gears up for the playoffs.
“We know what we’re preparing for. After tonight, we have two games left before the quarterfinals, even though obviously in the other group, it could be anybody at this point,” Alapag said after the game. “But I want our guys’ mindset and focus to understand what we have ahead of us, and obviously not to look past Macau, but even with this long break, to come in with the right mindset and the right focus and the right effort, and I thought we did that tonight.”
‘Malayo Pa’ for NLEX
With Macau out of the way and a playoff slot secured, the Road Warriors can actually start thinking about the next stage already. And while Alapag acknowledged the long road still ahead, he hopes NLEX can use the next two games to keep building towards the quarterfinals—and maybe even beyond.
“Malayo pa…,” Alapag stressed. “I think the players deserve credit for what they’ve been able to do these first 10 games, but [there is] still so much work to be done. We have bigger goals in mind for this conference, and we’re not there yet. We’ll keep working… We’ll keep building.”
An 8-2 record over 10 games is mighty impressive. But the real challenge is just about to arrive.
Playoffs Start Now, Says Alapag
NLEX will next take on the also-ran Titan Ultra Giant Risers before finishing the eliminations with a showdown against the San Miguel Beermen, who are right behind the Road Warriors in the standings. For Alapag, these last two games will be crucial in getting his team ready for when the title chase officially begins.
“Our preparation for the playoffs starts now. It doesn’t start October 23, 24, whenever the quarterfinals start. Our playoffs start now. So I think it’s important for our group to be in that mindset,” Alapag pointed out. “For the road ahead, I think these next two games are just part of the preparation to get ready.”
After dealing Macau a 60-point beating—the largest ever in PBA history—there’s reason to believe the NLEX Road Warriors are rounding into playoff form already.
