New NLEX players fitting well with system

IMPORT K.J. McDaniels, center Marion Magat and guard Kris Rosales are three of the newest players of the NLEX Road Warriors for the coming PBA Governors' Cup.

Technically, there's only two as Magat is a returning center who played for the Road Warriors two years ago, making his adjustment a lot more easier.

But Road Warriors general manager and head coach Yeng Guiao believes he can fast track the three players' involvement in the team's system two days before the team plunges back into action.

The Road Warriors will take on the San Miguel Beermen in the main game of the opener of the Governors' Cup at 6 p.m. right after the match between Alaska and NorthPort at 3 p.m.

"I think there won't be much of a problem in terms of adjustment," said Guiao in a telephone interview. "Marion already played for us, so he's no stranger to the things we're doing. Kris played for Rain or Shine, and with Rain or Shine, they're running some of the systems that I'm using when I was still the coach of the team, so Kris understands the principles in what we're doing in NLEX."

"K.J., on the other hand, is so talented and intelligent he could adapt to the team's system quickly. I would say we're around 80 percent in terms of being ready for the coming tournament."

In the recent Philippine Cup, the Road Warriors fell a game short of reaching the Final Four as the seventh seeded squad dragged No. 2 seed, and twice-to-beat Meralco in a knockout game before losing in the rubber match.

Despite missing the services of ace playmaker and top gun Kiefer Ravena, the Road Warriors were able to make a playoff run, and Guiao is confident they can make it to the next level with McDaniels as one of the reinforcements.

McDaniels, who previously played for the TNT Tropang Giga and led his team to the Final Four two years ago, is one among the top reinforcements seeing action this conference along with four-time champion Justin Brownlee, the beloved Barangay Ginebra import, who arrived December 1, the same day Meralco import Tony Bishop joined his squad.

Source: TheManila Times