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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider NLEX begins life without injured Alas against NorthPort

NLEX begins life without injured Alas against NorthPort

Published Nov 21, 2023 11:11 pm

At A Glance

  • NLEX gets its first try at navigating through life without ace guard Kevin Alas when it takes on NorthPort in the 2023 PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Nov. 22.
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NLEX gets its first try at navigating through life without ace guard Kevin Alas when it takes on NorthPort in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

 

PBA Images9 (2).JPG
Kevin Alas has suffered his third ACL injury. (PBA Images)

The Road Warriors, whose worst fears came to reality after Alas was diagnosed to have suffered his third anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, try to pull themselves together from a huge setback in the 8 p.m. collision against the Batang Pier.

Serving as a curtain raiser to the contest is the clash between the rarely streaking Terrafirma and the Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-led TNT in the first offering at 4 p.m.

While import Thomas Robinson naturally is expected to carry more load than the already huge lifting he’s been doing, the Road Warriors aim to rally together and fill in the huge void left by the absence of their star guard.

Rookie Richie Rodgers along with Matt Nieto and Kris Rosales are tasked to step up and while Don Trollano is poised to take a bigger role on the offensive end to make up for the stabilizing presence and scoring punch NLEX is missing without Alas.

The motivation, aside from getting back on the winning track after an embarrassing 113-112 loss to Terrafirma, is of course to pick up the win that will be dedicated to their injured teammate.

However, the Batang Pier won’t be pushovers in the contest especially that they are equally as eager to bounce back after absorbing their first taste of defeat in a lopsided fashion against the Magnolia Hotshots, 112-74, last time out.

Import Venky Jois, after being limited to his lowest output last game, should be determined to lead the charge for the NorthPort along with guys like Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon.

Meanwhile in the opening game, the Dyip look to keep their feet on the gas pedal to try and extend their win streak to three against a Tropang Giga side still groping for form.

Javi Gomez De Liaño and Stephen Holt are both coming off career performances in the win against NLEX and should be brimming with confidence heading into the match where star guard Juami Tiongson and import Thomas De Thaey are expected to be the focus of the defense.

Hollis-Jefferson, meanwhile, will be carrying the fight alongside Calvin Oftana and Jayson Castro as TNT continues to deal with manpower woes. 

The Tropang Giga barely escaped the Converge FiberXers, 101-98, in overtime for their breakthrough win but they were coming off a tough 106-97 loss to Taipei Fubon in the East Asia Super League.

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