TOP seed NLEX may be facing the unenviable task of drawing eighth seed TNT in the opening round of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Game time is at 5:15 p.m.
The Road Warriors, led by do-it-all import Cady Lalanne and hardworking playmaker Robert Bolick, finished the elimination phase with an impressive 10-2 record, en route to capturing the no. 1 seed in the playoffs.
On the other hand, the defending champions Tropang 5G slumped to eighth seed following their 93-86 defeat to the Barangay Ginebra Kings at the close of the elims last Sunday.
One of NLEX’s two defeats was courtesy of TNT, which scored a 103-97 win on March 22. South Sudanese and NBA veteran Bol Bol scored 40 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and added two blocks in that victory.
NLEX coach Jong Uichico hopes the team can take advantage of its win-once-and-advance-to-the-semifinals incentive.
And he feels the key to that is Lalanne, who has fit in well under his system.
“What we really liked about Cady was his attitude,” said Uichico. “He’s very coachable and gets along with his teammates. His demeanor on the court also does not change much. He handles himself in a very professional manner.”
The 34-year-old Lalanne, selected 55th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2015 NBA Draft, submitted averages 26.0 points, 15.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in the elimination round.
Uichico knows NLEX will have its hands full, given TNT’s loaded roster led by Calvin Oftana, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Jordan Heading, Rey Nambatac and Jayson Castro, as these veterans are there to back up the 7-3 Bol.
NLEX intends to make the most of this opportunity with Robert Bolick and Schonny Winston, whom the team acquired in a trade prior to the start of the conference leading the way.
Meanwhile, fourth seed Meralco also looks to deal a quick knockout against Magnolia, the fifth seed in their 7:30 p.m. encounter.
The two teams meet again three days after the Hotshots scored a 93-76 rout of the Bolts.
Magnolia has won its last three contests in the elims to reach post-season play.
But the playoffs are an entirely different scenario, and the Bolts, a team hungry for recognition, for sure is motivated to take full advantage of the win-once incentive and advance to the semis.
RICHARD DY
