NLEX: Surplus parts, souped-up engine work wonders for Yeng Guiao

By Jonas Terrado

Coach Yeng Guiao compared his NLEX Road Warriors to a second-hand automobile that rolls smoothly as they continue their dream run in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

“Puro surplus lang ‘tong mga piyesa natin dito,” Guiao said after the Road Warriors erased another huge deficit to escape with an 86-85 thriller over the defending champion Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

“At least yung makina namin gumagana naman. Puro reject at surplus, pero yung puso nila brand new,” added Guiao.

Guiao is finally enjoying his best conference since moving from Rain or Shine three years ago as NLEX kept its hold on top in the tournament at 8-1, and in the process secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

The fiery mentor said NLEX has made things work with help from players who were discarded by their previous employers.

“Sila Philip Paniamogan at sila Bong Galanza mga reject lang ng PBA yan. Pero nagpapakita sila,” Guiao said of the two former Kia players who at one point were relegated to the MPBL before NLEX took a chance at them last year.

“Si Kenneth Ighalo nga nung nag-trade kami, isinama lang si Ighalo. Parang lollipop lang siya na isinama. Libre,” said Guiao in jest.

Ighalo was part of a 2017 trade involving Alex Mallari from Mahindra in exchange for Eric Camson and Glenn Khobuntin.

“Si Mike Miranda nga reject lang ng TNT yan. Si Jericho Cruz tinapon lang ng TNT yan. Si JR Quiñnahan tinapon din yata ng NorthPort yan e,” added Guiao.

Of course, the motor won’t be running smoothly without quality parts, namely import Mike Harris, Kiefer Ravena and Poy Erram. Cruz, who was shipped from TNT last June, was the hero of Sunday’s win when he scored a putback off Ravena’s missed free throw and later Erram’s tip-in with a second left.

The comeback came after Magnolia was poised for a lopsided win and led by 26 at one point. But NLEX slowly narrowed the gap, setting up a thrilling finish.

It was the second time NLEX erased a huge gap after coming back from 28 down to stun Barangay Ginebra San Miguel with a 113-111 overtime triumph in Dubai last month.

Source: Manila Bulletin