NLEX coach Jong Uichico said there is no reason to celebrate after the Road Warriors secured the No. 1 seed in the quarterfinals.
For only the second time in franchise history, NLEX will go into the quarterfinals as the top-seed following its 123-112 overtime win over Titan Ultra.
Past conferences, however, have seen the Road Warriors exiting early in the quarterfinals, which is why Uichico isn't too high about topping the eliminations.
READ: Bolick says NLEX needs to shape up after close call vs. Titan
“Wala pa kaming na-aaccomplish,” Uichico reminded. “Elimination pa lang ito.”
“The last two conferences, we were in the top four also. Yung last conference, we were supposed to be (No. 1) for whatever reason, yung kay Berto (Bolick, Southeast Asian Games stint). We also had a chance.”
Uichico was referring to the Season 49 and Season 50 Philippine Cups.
In Season 49, NLEX finished second in the elimination round, only for Rain or Shine to win two games to get ousted early.
Last conference, NLEX nearly reached the top four, but the Road Warriors slipped to No. 8 after Robert Bolick was called up for Gilas Pilipinas in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
The close win over Titan Ultra is a reflection that NLEX still needs tuning up before going into the quarterfinals where possible opponents now include TNT after the Tropang 5G lost to Magnolia, 106-94, last Tuesday.
“We are just at No. 1 in the eliminations. It is something to be happy about but it's nothing to be satisfied about,” the nine-time PBA champion shared.
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