Guiao hopes big win over Ginebra sparks NLEX run

MANILA, Philippines — NLEX rarely practices on the morning of game days. But Saturday was an exemption.

And who could blame Yeng Guiao? They’re up against crowd darling Barangay Ginebra. They’re trying to end a dry spell. They’re trying to stay in the running for a playoffs berth.

After a string of disappointing losses, the change in approach turned out to be for the better.

READ: NLEX ends slump, outlasts Ginebra

“We usually don’t practice in the morning. But today, we did some shootarounds and walkthroughs,” revealed coach Yeng Guiao, who even said he didn’t know how they were able to win over Ginebra.

"That’s unusual for us because we usually want to get rested before the game but we did that today just to shake things up, just to have a different routine,” he added.

The Road Warriors got buried by as many as 14 points in the first half. They tried to claw their way back into the game but they were only able to do so with five minutes left in the payoff period. If not for Cyrus Baguio and Larry Fonacier’s experience paying dividends, they wouldn’t have tied the game.

"We’re still struggling you know. We know we beat Ginebra in a hard-fought match. But the way we’re playing in the first half? The first three quarters? I thought we would not have enough in the endgame ‘cause our offense was just really bad,” Guiao shared.

NLEX hasn’t won since playing GlobalPort on Christmas Day at the Philippine Arena. Pitted against two teams also looking for stability — Phoenix and Rain or Shine — the Road Warriors just couldn’t muster anything to eke out a win. Against top dogs San Miguel and Magnolia, they weren’t at par.

"Mabuti na lang it’s a defensive game 'no? I think the scores are below 80s. It’s been a valiant game, it was turning out to be very physical. We had to mentally adjust to that kind of game. We’re just happy we were able to do just that,” the tough-talking champion coach said. 

With the win, NLEX spoiled Ginebra’s bid to gain momentum. They now have an identical 3-4 record in the all-Filipino conference good for a sixth spot. 

But as the sporting cliché goes, a win is a win. And Guiao would take this over a loss any day — especially with the Philippine Cup’s elimination round entering its second phase. 

“We’ll try to use this win as a spark to fight harder in the next games and give ourselves a chance to go to the next round,” Guiao said.

"Just having the chance to play the next games with a hope that maybe we can make it in the next round, that would be a big ecouragement for us,” he closed.

Guiao and company takes on their slumping sister team Meralco next.