NLEX coach Yeng Guiao is looking at using the long break to help import Cameron Clark get into the schemes of things as the team enters the quarterfinals on a high after its massive win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Clark arrived early Friday in time to witness the Road Warriors come back from an early deficit to claim a 115-103 win and a twice-to-beat advantage in KJ McDaniels’ final game.
Though lamenting on McDaniels’ decision to leave the team to be with his girlfriend who is due to give birth, Guiao and NLEX said they will have to make do with the situation of having to get Clark in the mix using the allotted time.
“I still don’t have an answer for that,” Guiao said when asked about NLEX’s adjustments with Clark now tasked to try and meet the level of production McDaniels put up throughout his stay.
“But I guess the one-week break that we have is going to get us the time to acclimatize Cameron Clark and also run the sets with him, know the guys, and adjust to the team and the team adjust to him.
“This is exactly what we will be missing, kasi adjusted na lahat kami kay KJ at si KJ adjusted na rin sa sistema namin and that took a lot of time and effort. Now, parang back to square one with our import.
“But we have no choice so we just have to compress all of that in that one week that is our preparation time,” added Guiao.
The Road Warriors finished at 8-3 and can finish either second or third depending on the outcome of the remaining games in the elimination round.
McDaniels produced 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.8 blocks at the conclusion of the elims, numbers NLEX will sorely miss.
But if Clark, a veteran of several leagues in Europe, does turn up to be a fitting replacement, the Road Warriors will eventually feel less worried.