Guest team Bay Area Dragons, unbeaten in its first two games, seems to be a strong contender in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
But NLEX interim coach Adonis Tierra believes that the Hong Kong-based team can be beaten by PBA squads.
Tierra is calling the shots in lieu of newly-appointed coach Frankie Lim, who asked management to give him a few more days to get to know the team better.
While Bay Area has notched 11 wins in a row — including its tune-up matches leading to the Commissioner’s Cup – Tierra is doubtful the Dragons can deliver when push comes to shove.
NorthPort showed no fear against Bay Area, pushing the Dragons to the limit, and was a second away from victory until a buzzer-beating trey by NBA alumnus Myles Powell sent the visiting squad to a 105-104 squeaker.
While Powell has flexed his scoring prowess, and the 7’5″ Liu Chuanxing of the Chinese national team can dominate inside the paint, Bay Area’s bench depth is arguable.