NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag believes the Road Warriors can become an even better team as they head into the best-of-five semifinals of the Season 50 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup.
Alapag reached the semifinals for the first time in his first season as PBA head coach, while Robert Bolick will also make his first appearance in the round of four.
After winning the first two games of their quarterfinal series against Phoenix Super LPG, 97-92 and 124-117, the Road Warriors completed a sweep with a 137-89 rout last Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Alapag lauded the players for the hard work and perseverance, saying their commitment to make a deep playoff run finally paid off. NLEX last reached the semifinals in the 2021 Governors’ Cup.
‘Extremely proud of the guys. They are all hardworking, and they get a chance to do something great,’ said Alapag, who took over from Jong Uichico before the start of the conference. ‘But we are still far away, and there’s still a lot of work to be done.’
Bolick averaged 25.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in the quarterfinals, finally breaking through to the semifinals after several playoff disappointments.
Alapag, however, believes the best is yet to come for his star guard.
‘I think this is just the beginning. Berto is just scratching the surface, not just as a player but also as a leader,’ Alapag said.
NLEX also drew 19 points each from Deschon Winston and import Deonte Burton in Game 3, while Bolick finished with 23 points, five assists and four rebounds.
The Road Warriors will face the winner of the quarterfinal series between Converge and Rain or Shine. The FiberXers and Elasto Painters are tied at 1-1.
Meanwhile, defending champion TNT Tropang 5G and import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson also advanced to the best-of-five semifinals after sweeping Magnolia, 3-0. TNT won the three games, 92-70, 91-73 and 98-87.
TNT will face the winner of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel-San Miguel Beer quarterfinal series.
Ginebra leads the series, 2-0, and can clinch the last semifinal berth with a Game 3 victory on Tuesday at the Dasmariñas Sports Complex.