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Guiao lauds NLEX for making management, fans happy due to making first semis stint

Larry Fonacier, who experienced winning a championship with Coach Yeng Guiao at Red Bull, is back in the semifinals with his old gaffer at NLEX. PBA Media Bureau
By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--For the first time ever, NLEX barges through the PBA semifinals.

After eliminating the Alaska Aces on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Road Warriors are making their Final Four debut since they came to the league in 2014 by acquiring the old Red Bull/Shopinas franchise.

And Coach Yeng Guiao, who was interestingly the first coach of the Barako franchise, has his players to thank for.

"The team deserves the credit," said Guiao after the game. "They really wanted this. They were hungry to make the semifinals and make our fans, supporters, and management happy."

What made NLEX's breakthrough semis entry more special is that the team, the lone MVP Group that made this far in the conference, is not as stellar as the three other semifinalists, all making up the SMC umbrella, with only rookie Kiefer Ravena and fourth-year guard Kevin Alas as the team's main gunners.

"That was really what's motivating us: with this group of guys, we're able to achieve the farthest level that we can get," continued Guiao.

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