Since taking over as head coach of NLEX midway last season, Frankie Lim had done everything to keep on improving its roster.
He was responsible in bringing top overall pick Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, veteran forwards Sean Anthony and Jake Pascual and free agents Clint Doliguez and Hesed Gabo as well as crack imports Wayne Selden and Jonathon Simmons.
Because of the changes, the Road Warriors were able to reach the playoffs, but an unfortunate injury suffered by Selden, who incurred a grade 2 ankle sprain in their quarterfinals game against Ginebra, ended the Road Warriors’ season on a whimper.
The Road Warriors can continue their build up beginning the coming Rookie Draft and thru free agency, but will also use the preseason tournament as a way springboard for next season.
In the preseason, the Road Warriors will have to make do of what they have.
“We tried inviting players to come and try out for us, but these players are under contract in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League), so I guess we have to rely on our players,” said Lim in a Viber conversation with Daily Tribune.
The Road Warriors will immediately plunge to action and start off the preseason against Blackwater on Sunday, 21 May, at the Caloocan Sports Complex at 5 p.m.
NLEX will still have the core of its line up, but likely to rest Ganuelas-Rosser for a few days.
Ganuelas-Rosser is currently playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the ongoing Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tournament.
But the Road Warriors will still have the core of the team led by guards Kevin Alas and Matt Nieto and forward Don Trollano.
Lim added that he’s excited for the coming Rookie Draft where NLEX will be picking No.6 in the first round and then get two selections in the second round.
“We’ll get the best available talented players regardless of position,” said Lim. “We will start our build up in the coming Rookie Draft, and then we’ll look at the free agency as well if there are available players.”
