The NLEX Road Warriors played their third game in the last six days on Tuesday to open their PBA Governors’ Cup campaign. While that could mean fatigue for other teams, the Road Warriors certainly did not show any in their dominant 135‑100 victory over the Titan Ultra Giant Risers.
That may be in part a credit to the family‑oriented vibe new coach Jimmy Alapag is trying to instill in NLEX.
“’Yung unang pasok ni coach, gusto niya hindi kami as a team. Family‑oriented ang gusto niya,” Robert Bolick shared in the postgame presser. “So, makikita mo ‘yung samahan namin, hindi na as a team, we are as a family.”
The family bond is starting to be apparent. Alapag, in three wins so far, has routinely used most of his roster, giving everyone playing time and opportunities to shine. That distribution of opportunities has no doubt allowed the Road Warriors to average 28.3 assists per contest as they constantly move the ball around and find the open man.
NLEX Is Full of Confidence
Three games in, it appears Alapag is taking NLEX to another level. For Bolick, who tallied 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists against Titan Ultra, having Alapag on the sidelines has given the team a unique sense of confidence.
“Una, si coach legend na nga sa PBA, legend pa sa Gilas [Pilipinas]. May NBA experience pa, so ang laking confidence, hindi lang para sa akin, kung hindi para sa team na mayroon kami. Kami lang nakakasabi na ‘may NBA coach kami,’” Bolick further told reporters.
New Culture with New Heights to Reach
With their win over Titan Ultra, NLEX now sits atop Group B with a perfect 3‑0 record. It will next have a 12‑day break before taking on the San Miguel Beermen on July 26.
With plenty of time to rest, build chemistry, and further strengthen the team’s family‑oriented culture, Alapag and the Road Warriors could become an even more dangerous squad once everything fully comes together.
