NLEX goes all-Filipino as it aims to stay alone on top of Group A

NLEX will soldier on without DeQuan Jones and a replacement import, at least for now, as it aims to go into the PBA Governors’ Cup break on a winning note on Friday against Converge.

The Road Warriors take on the FiberXers at 5:15 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where they will aim to snatch a win despite not having a reinforcement following Jones’ gruesome leg injury on Tuesday.

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Jones underwent successful surgery after getting hurt against TNT at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, a major blow for a team that has been on a roll since new coach Jimmy Alapag took over.

But even without Jones for the remainder of the game, the Road Warriors were able to get a 118-111 overtime victory behind Robert Bolick’s game-tying four in regulation and a career-high 26 points from rookie L-Jay Gonzales.

After the doubleheader, the league takes a long break until the first week of October due to Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the Fiba World Cup Qualifiers and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, giving NLEX more time to search for Jones’ successor.

“At least we have only one more game left before the break, and we have time to find someone suitable,” Bolick said.

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Whoever that replacement is will be crucial for NLEX’s ambition to build on its early success and progress further come playoff time. The franchise has not reached the semifinals since its two Last-4 appearances under coach Yeng Guiao in the 2018 Philippine Cup and 2021-2022 Governors’ Cup.

Jones was one of the reasons behind the Road Warriors’ surge to the top of Group A, with his ability to score both inside and out and his valuable contributions on the defensive end, serving as a catalyst for the team’s run.

Bolick and the Road Warriors were also enamored with Jones’ good-natured personality, something they hope the replacement import can provide.

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“Hopefully we can find someone like him (Jones). He’s like Cady (Lalanne, the Road Warriors’ import last conference),” Bolick said. Lalanne led NLEX to the top seed, but the team was eliminated by TNT despite owning a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

“DeQuan is the same type of import, so it’s up to Coach Jimmy and management to find someone like him,” he added.

Converge, on the other hand, looks to score an upset and boost its confidence going into the respite after it snapped a four-game skid on Tuesday by routing Terrafirma, 120-103. The FiberXers are currently tied for third with TNT at 4-4.

NLEX can afford to gamble on playing all-Filipino right now as they lead Group A with a 7-1 record. A loss to Converge would only leave the team tied for the lead with San Miguel Beer, still well inside the four teams that will qualify for the playoffs.

The Road Warriors and the Beermen are three wins up on the next teams below them.

Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra and Meralco renew their rivalry at 7:30 p.m. to conclude this stretch of the group stage, with the crowd favorites playing for the first time in 12 days.

The Gin Kings were supposed to play the Blackwater Bossing last Sunday, but the game was postponed due to poor weather conditions brought about by the southwest monsoon coupled with roof leaks that prompted repairs at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Meralco, meanwhile, has decided to bring back Jordon Varnado as import in a bid to improve its 2-5 record, dead last in Group B. Varnado takes the place of Antonio Hester, who played six games for the Bolts.