Another big test is coming up as the Road Warriors are set to take on Ginebra in their final game in the elimination round.
With the NLEX Road Warriors’ playoff aspirations in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on the line, coach Frankie Lim thought it was prudent to change imports.
After going 1-4 last December, the time seemed right for the Road Warriors to go ahead and make a change.
And they did.
“The reason we changed is because of our record last December. We thought we should get an import who can score and rebound for us,” said Lim.
Enter DeAndre Williams-Baldwin.
[RELATED: NLEX taps DeAndre Williams-Baldwin for Commissioner's Cup playoff push]
Williams-Baldwin replaced Stokley Chaffee Jr., who did end up averaging a strong almost 22.8 points and 13.0 rebounds in five games for the Road Warriors. That's not quite enough though.
NLEX's new 27-year-old reinforcement, put on the spot as the team played essentially a do-or-die game Wednesday, got a passing mark from Lim as he helped the Road Warriors improve to 4-6 to stay alive.
Fresh from a stint with NCAA Division 1 school Memphis, Williams-Baldwin put up an all-around outing 22 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in a crucial 107-103 win over the Converge FiberXers.
“For his first game dito sa PBA, it’s really decent,” said the seasoned mentor.
Lim added that Williams-Baldwin is tailor-fit for the team, which is reeling without the services of Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Dave Marcelo, Matt Nieto, and Kevin Alas.
And while it's good to win on your debut and get praise from your coach, it will be no rest for the weary as Williams-Baldwin's next test NLEX is against defending champion Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel on Saturday in Legazpi City, Albay.
“I think he matches our style of game," Lim said of his new reinforcement. "Nothing against Stokley. But I think we need scoring from our import."