The NLEX Road Warriors are now 4-0 in the PBA Governors’ Cup after their most impressive win of the conference thus far: a 110-96 dismantling of the erstwhile unbeaten San Miguel Beermen.
But the Road Warriors aren’t just unbeaten in four games in their tournament. They’re also looking like the team to beat—a confident, dynamic group that defends, works hard, and shares the ball. And, for rising star Schonny Winston, NLEX is rising because it is feeding off its leader, new head coach Jimmy Alapag.
“Coach Jimmy is a really positive coach. He’s bringing a lot of positivity, and we’re just feeding off of it,” Winston bared to Rebanse after NLEX’s commanding win on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
That positive attitude is evident. Alapag high-fives the Road Warriors and gives them pats on the back. He encourages them. He guides them. And now, together, they seem to be building something exciting.
Alapag Also Instilling Confidence
But that’s not all. According to Winston, The Captain has been instilling confidence in every Road Warrior—and Winston’s increasingly improving game is testament to it.
“I would just say the coach gives us so much confidence. He tells me, Berto [Robert Bolick], everyone can shoot,” Winston added. “Everyone has the confidence to shoot. He tells us to work. I think everyone on our team works really hard. He gives us confidence to shoot the shots that we practice. I think we just feed off of the confidence that he gives us.”
Winston himself has looked extra confident this conference, punishing San Miguel on Sunday with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, and putting up 19.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over the course of four games.
He isn’t alone. Robert Bolick is doing Berto things. Tony Semerad is shooting lights out from the short corner. Kevin Alas is back to being a double-digit scorer off the bench. And, against the Beermen, Robbie Herndon chipped in 13 on three triples—all in the second half.
Winston Wants NLEX to Stay Humble
While an unbeaten start through four games is something to be encouraged by, Winston doesn’t want to get carried away. The Governors’ Cup, after all, is a long tournament that will stretch well into December—assuming NLEX makes a deep playoff run.
“It was a great win, but we have to continue to stay humble and continue to know that it’s a long conference,” the former La Salle Green Archer noted.
It may be a long conference, but the Road Warriors are off to a swashbuckling start for sure.
