MANILA, Philippines – After a dismal 10th place finish in its maiden conference in the PBA, the NLEX Road Warriors are looking to rebound in the coming Commissioner's Cup.
Speaking to Philstar.com, NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez said he will be using the invitational tournament in Dubai as their training camp, something they did not have prior to the Philippine Cup.
"It will be a good time for us to bond together us a team. Hindi namin 'to nagawa before the season dahil late na ako dumating since tinapos ko pa 'yung NCAA," NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez told Philstar.com.
The week-long tournament, which will start Wednesday (Jan. 14), will also serve as an adjustment opportunity for their celebrated import Al Thornton, a former first round pick in the NBA.
The 6-foot-8 forward arrived over the weekend and had few practices with the team before they flew to United Arab Emirates where they will be battling tough commercial clubs from the middle east region.
"Si Al (Thornton) will complement Asi (Taulava). Since dalawa lang naman ang teams na may import with unlimited height, we felt that we need an import who will be a stopper of the other 6-8 imports and below and at the same time can play alongside Asi," Fernandez said.
Thornton will play forward with Taulava and will fill in the middle whenever the 42-year-old Fil-Tongan is sent to the bench.
The 31-year-old NBA veteran was the Los Angeles Clippers' 14th overall pick in the 2007 Rookie Draft.
Thornton averaged a career-best 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists during his sophomore year, following an All-NBA Rookie First Team citation in 2007.
After two years with the Clippers, Thornton was traded to the Washington Wizards and then Golden State Warriors.
He went overseas following his short NBA career playing in Puerto Rico and China before coming to the Philippines.