The NLEX Road Warriors is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmasters at 4:00 P.M. on December 25, 2021 live from Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
The Road Warriors will make an attempt to keep their unblemished win-loss record and maintain their ownership at the top of the standings while the Fuelmasters will try to avenge their heartbreaking defeat when the 2021 Governors’ Cup resumes this afternoon.
Probably one of the big reasons why the coach-Yeng-Guiao-led-team is having a winning streak is attributed by their import KJ McDaniels. Yet, if you ask the veteran bench tactician, it’s about their team’s chemistry.
“Practically the whole team is playing well and I think that’s an indication that the chemistry is good, that the guys are getting along together with their import,” said Guiao.
Though their team is looking good with their 4-0 slate, NLEX avoids getting complacent whilst they wanted to keep their hungry-for-a-title mentality since when playoffs come, that number will no longer be important apart from rewarding them a twice-to-beat advantage.
“It’s a good sign, but we don’t want to be looking at ourselves like we’re in there and we’re contending. We’re just trying to get better every day. That’s the mentality,” said, coach Yeng. “If we can push this as far as we can, let’s see where it gets us.”
For the Road Warriors, on the other hand, they just added another experience with many fans called the “Never-Say-Die” effect from the PBA’s one and only “team NSD”, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
With under a minute remaining, Phoenix was looking at the scoreboard leading by three and was poised to log their third victory in the season-ending conference. However, coach Tim Cone and LA Tenorio had different things in mind and that’s to snatch the victory.
Tenorio swished a buzzer-beating three-pointer which pushed the duel to another five-minute showdown then the rest was history.
If you ask Ginebra’s head coach Tim Cone they’re just lucky that Matthew Wright wasn’t that clutch at least in their game and one of the reasons why they dodge a Fuelmasters’ bullet.
“(Phoenix coach) Topex (Robinson) had a good play. It’s just that Matthew Wright was not on the money to make the shot. It could’ve easily won it for them,” said Cone.