Photo: PBA Images
By Art Ramirez
NLEX has become an unlikely leader in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50 Commissioner's Cup after its memorable victory over Rain or Shine last Wednesday.
A buzzer-beater by JB Bahio off an assist by Robert Bolick enabled the Road Warriors to shock the Elasto Painters, 92-90, bringing them in a tie for first place with an 8-2 win-loss record. NLEX has a favorable position to secure the No. 1 seed as the Road Warriors have beaten Rain or Shine, Barangay Ginebra, and Meralco, all of which are in the upper half of the team standings.
NLEX has been in this position last conference during the Philippine Cup where the Road Warriors looked headed for a deep run having a 6-2 win-loss record. But NLEX had to release Bolick for Gilas Pilipinas duties in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, and the Road Warriors lost their last four games of the conference including the quarterfinals where they were eliminated by top-seed San Miguel.
This Commissioner's Cup is a different story with Bolick no longer having a commitment outside NLEX. They also have an import that is fit to NLEX in Cady Lalanne, a very versatile import who can play inside and outside and has a respectable defensive game.
The Road Warriors have also beefed up through the draft and free agency, and all of their movements over the past few seasons have been on point.
The aforementioned Bahio was actually selected in the third round, No. 25 overall by Terrafirma during the Season 48 Draft but was left unsigned. But with an eye for talent, NLEX was able to sign Bahio after his MPBL stint and thrived with the Road Warriors, landing an All-Star selection through the PBA coaches who had to pick the reserves.
That same draft also had Schonny Winston, drafted by Converge at No. 9 but eventually moved to NLEX prior to the Commissioner's Cup in a three-team deal that also involved Meralco. Winston has thrived at NLEX and has become an additional scoring option for the Road Warriors.
NLEX picked Ljay Gonzales at No. 5 in the Season 50 Draft at a time where he was still finishing his commitments with the Quezon Huskers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) but the wait was worth it, with Gonzales fitting nicely into the team's running game.
Don't forget Jong Uichico, who first came in as an assistant coach in 2023, before being appointed as the head coach in 2024. His vast experience from capturing nine championships as PBA coach has honed the Road Warriors into winners this conference.
The true test for the Road Warriors will come in the playoffs when they face the likes of reigning champion San Miguel and Magnolia, which have become potential opponents in the playoffs based on how things are panning out in the team standings. But unlike in past seasons, NLEX has the tools for a run at the championship this time.