Winning start for Alapag era

MANILA, Philippines — Three games in five days, three victories.NLEX marked the Jimmy Alapag era with a 3-for-3 showing, meeting its primary goals in the initial skirmishes of the PBA Governors’ Cup.

After a blowout over Macau and a close win over Terrafirma, the Road Warriors demolished Titan Ultra, 135-100, last night at Ynares Center-Antipolo to emerge spotless from their hectic opening slate.

NLEX ace Robert Bolick expressed the team’s excitement playing under Alapag, the legendary playmaker who is making his coaching debut after a stint with the Sacramento Kings in the NBA.

“Si coach, legend na nga sa PBA, legend pa sa Gilas, may NBA experience pa so ang laking confidence-booster hindi lang para sa akin kundi sa team. Kami lang makakapagsabi na may NBA coach kami so malaking bagay yan,” said Bolick.

“Really happy with the effort nila. Everybody who’s playing is having a positive impact on the game which is great,” Alapag noted.

Bolick delivered his best game under Alapag so far, producing 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists to complement Schonny Winston’s career-high 30 markers.

The duo, who sparked the NLEX breakaway in the second canto, eased the burden on import DeQuan Jones, who finished with 22 markers and six boards.

“We’re getting a lot of contributions from different guys. Obviously Berto and Schonny are a big part of what we do.  I thought their aggressiveness early in the game set the tone and DJ (Jones) has been solid in the three games as we needed him to be,” said Alapag.

The 3-0 start was a tone-setter and confidence-builder as NLEX prepares for heavyweight San Miguel Beer next.