ROBERT Bolick and the rest of NLEX are bracing for a tough stretch for the team that could determine whether the Road Warriors are for real this conference.
The Road Warriors hold a 3-1 win-loss record but face a litmus test in the next three games which begins with a match-up against Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday.
NLEX also battles league-leader Magnolia on Sunday and reigning champion Meralco on May 14.
Bolick said they remain cautious despite their hot start to the Philippine Cup where they are in second place behind Magnolia, which remains undefeated after four games.
“Malayo pa kami,” Bolick said. “Mabigat ‘yung tatlong games namin. Dito kami masusubukan.”
READ: Red-hot NLEX extends win streak to 3 by holding off Blackwater
Even with the challenging schedule ahead, Bolick likes how NLEX is playing right now especially with different players stepping up over the past games.
In their 80-72 win over Blackwater last Friday, Bolick had 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, but the match-up also saw JB Bahio contributing 12 points and eight rebounds, and Kevin Alas and Dominick Fajardo chipping in 10 apiece for the Road Warriors.
Bolick said the confidence within the team is starting to grow with the opportunities being given with the system of head coach Jong Uichico in place that emphasizes on good ball and player movement.
“’Yung kagandahan nga lang, kahit anong nangyayari, natatalo, nalalamangan ‘yung composure namin as a team na tinatrust namin ‘yung isa’t isa na mag-contribute sa game,” said Bolick.
NLEX hasn’t lost since its opening game where it dropped a 98-89 decision over San Miguel last April 5. But even in that game, Bolick said the Road Warriors thought they were only outplayed by the Beermen because of their sheer talent.
“’Yung first game, ‘yun nga ‘yung sabi ni coach na may talo na pangit, may talo na maganda. Pero ‘yung kagandahan nun, sinunod pa rin namin ‘yung ineensayo namin sa practice, ‘yung movement without the ball, player movement, continue lang namin," he said.
After the SMB loss, NLEX defeated Rain or Shine, 109-95, last April 12, and Grand Slam-searching TNT, 91-74, last April 23, before that Blackwater win.
“Etong three games na ‘to (winning streak), nagpapakita na every game, kita mo naman ‘yung players na nag-step up sa amin," he continued.
"So credit din kay coach Jong, sa mga skills coach namin, sila coach Melo (Lim), coach JB (Sison), sila coach Emman (Monfort), araw-araw kami nagii-skills. So kapag ‘yung teammates ko, nagbi-believe din, binibigyan ng belief ni coach, time to shine sila."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
