MANILA, Philippines — NLEX coach Yeng Guiao is far more satisfied now with what he sees on the floor and on the bench.
“We’re slowly getting the pieces and the look of the team that we want,” he said at the sidelines of the Upper Deck Gym in Pasig.
The Road Warriors took the floor against the Alaska Aces the other day at the start of a four-team pocket tournament prior to the 43rd PBA season.
In the other game, Rain or Shine survives Phoenix, 95-89.
Kiefer Ravena, the prize rookie for NLEX, saw action and helped the team get past Alaska, 106-100, in a tune-up game that was played like the title was at stake.
There were heated moments.
“We’re good,” said Guiao, who drew big games from big men Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Raul Soyud and skipper Asi Taulava.
Guiao likes the fact that NLEX now has players he can go to at the crunch, players who are willing to take the show, like Alex Mallari, Larry Fonacier and Ravena.
There are six former Ateneo players in the NLEX lineup, a reunion of sorts for guards Emman Monfort, Juami Tiongson and Ravena, Fonacier and Al-Hussaini and Alonzo Gotladera.
Guiao said Ravena is still feeling his way in. He had nine points, five assists and two rebounds in 17 minutes on the floor Monday.
“He just spent a lot of time with Gilas so he’s had very little time with us. The challenge is to make use of the time to get him into the groove of things,” said Guiao.
“But the good thing is that he’s a very smart player and a high IQ player. He’s very good in absorbing information,” Guiao told The STAR.
The Road Warriors are trying to get it all together before the Dec. 17 opener of the Philippine Cup. They’ve been practicing six days a week since Nov. 16.
“We have enough time,” said Guiao, who had set modest goals.