NLEX Road Warriors

Philippine professional basketball team

This article is about the Philippine Basketball Association team. For the defunct PBA D-League franchise, see NLEX Road Warriors (PBA D-League).

NLEX Road Warriors

2024–25 NLEX Road Warriors season
Founded| 2014
History| NLEX Road Warriors (2014–present)
Team colors| Blue, orange, red, white

Company| NLEX Corporation
Board governor| Ronald Dulatre
Christopher Daniel Lizo (alternate)
Team manager| Virgil Villavicencio
Head coach| Jong Uichico
Ownership| Manuel V. Pangilinan
Affiliation(s)| Cavitex Braves
Retired numbers| 1 (88)

The NLEX Road Warriors is a professional basketball team owned by NLEX Corporation, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, playing in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) since the 2014–2015 season.

The Road Warriors began in the PBA Developmental League (PBA D-League) as one of its founding teams, winning a total of six championships. The franchise transferred to the PBA after the Manila North Tollways Corporation (a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation) acquired the PBA franchise of the Air21 Express in June 2014. It is one of three PBA teams currently under the control of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan (the other teams are the TNT Tropang Giga and the Meralco Bolts).

## History

[edit]

### PBA D-League

[edit]

Main article: NLEX Road Warriors (PBA D-League)

From 2011 to 2014, the Road Warriors were the dominant team in the PBA D-League, setting a record six championships in the seven conferences that it participated. It is the second PBA D-League franchise to join the PBA.

### PBA expansion franchise application

[edit]

In March 2014, Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) submitted its letter of intent to join the PBA as an expansion team.[1] On April 10, 2014, the PBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the application of NLEX, Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. (Blackwater Elite) and Columbian Autocar Corporation (Kia Sorento) as expansion teams for the 2014–2015 season.

As a concession to Kia, which did not have a basketball team in the PBA D-League, the PBA board of governors did not allow Blackwater and NLEX to elevate their D-League players. Instead, the three expansion teams will build their teams through an expansion draft (with the ten existing teams protecting fourteen players in their respective rosters), the free agency and the rookie draft, in which the expansion teams will be given the 11th, 12th and 13th pick in the first round of the 2014 PBA draft.[2][3]

Additional concessions were given to the three expansion teams at the conclusion of the special meeting by PBA board of governors, three weeks after approving their franchise application. These included the revision of the expansion draft in which the ten existing teams will protect twelve players (from the previous fourteen), and the first three picks of the second round of the 2014 PBA draft. Only the three expansion teams will be allowed to pick players after the third round of the rookie draft.[4]

### Acquisition of the Air21 Express PBA franchise

[edit]

NLEX Road Warriors logo from 2014 to 2017

While Kia and Blackwater have paid their respective franchise fees, NLEX requested for an extension, as they were studying whether to enter the PBA as an expansion team or acquire an existing PBA franchise.

On June 17, 2014, MNTC announced that it was having negotiations with a PBA team to acquire their franchise. Due to the ongoing Governors' Cup playoffs, MNTC did not identify the team they were negotiating with, but stated it will reveal the team's identity once the team was eliminated.[5][6] Days later, the team was revealed to be Air21 Express.

On June 23, 2014, an agreement was reached between MNTC and the Lina Group of Companies (owners of Air21 Express led by Alberto Lina), regarding the sale of its PBA franchise to MNTC.[7] The sale was approved during the regular monthly meeting of the board of governors, paving the way for the sale of the franchise to MNTC.[8][9][10]

### PBA 2015 Commissioner's Cup

[edit]

On January 2, 2015, NBA 2007 14th overall pick Al Thornton signed with the Road Warriors.

### Yeng Guiao's transfer to NLEX

[edit]

The NLEX Road Warriors took a big step with multi-titled coach Yeng Guiao, who joined the team as head coach before the 2016–17 season following a successful stint handling Rain or Shine.[11] Guiao also became NLEX's general manager.[12]

In July 2018, they represented the Philippines, along with Blackwater Elite in the Asia League's Summer Super 8 Invitational Tournament held in Macau.[13]

Under Coach Guiao, NLEX became a playoff contender and made two semifinal appearances, with its most recent being in the 2021 Governors’ Cup where they lost to eventual champion Barangay Ginebra.[11] NLEX however, failed to make the Finals during his time there.[14] NLEX also had to deal with losing some of its stars, as Poy Erram (along with a first-round pick that turned into Mikey Williams) was traded to TNT, Kiefer Ravena left for the B.League in Japan, and Jericho Cruz signed with the San Miguel Beermen in free agency.[15]

On September 2, 2022, Guiao left the Road Warriors after failing to come to terms with a contract extension.[14]

## Current roster

[edit]

NLEX Road Warriors roster

* v
* t
* e

Players  | Coaches

|

| Pos. | # | POB | Name | Height | Weight | DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) | From

|
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|
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|

G | 1 |  | Rodger, Richie | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)  | 211 lb (96 kg)  | 1997–01–27  | UE
F/C | 2 |  | Miranda, Michael | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)  | 210 lb (95 kg)  | 1990–12–12  | San Sebastian
G | 7 |  | Alas, Kevin | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)  | 175 lb (79 kg)  | 1991–11–13  | Letran
G | 8 |  | Bolick, Robert (C)  | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)  | 178 lb (81 kg)  | 1993–09–13  | San Beda
F | 9 |  | Fajardo, Dominick | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)  | 220 lb (100 kg)  | 1993–10–25  | Bulacan State
F | 10 |  | Anthony, Sean | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 200 lb (91 kg)  | 1986–01–26  | McGill
G/F | 11 |  | Herndon, Robbie | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  | 180 lb (82 kg)  | 1993–07–16  | San Francisco State
G | 12 |  | Nieto, Matt | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)  | 160 lb (73 kg)  | 1997–05–31  | Ateneo
G | 14 |  | Amer, Baser | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)  | 170 lb (77 kg)  | 1992–09–29  | San Beda
F | 15 |  | Napoles, Jorey (IN)  | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  |  | 1993–11–27  | TIP
F/C | 20 |  | Marcelo, Dave | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  | 223 lb (101 kg)  | 1989–02–22  | San Beda
F | 22 |  | Pascual, Jake (FA)  | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 200 lb (91 kg)  | 1988–11–11  | San Beda
F | 23 |  | Policarpio, Jonnel (R)  | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  |  |  | De La Salle
G/F | 24 |  | Valdez, Enoch | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)  | 178 lb (81 kg)  | 2000–05–26  | Lyceum
F | 26 |  | Mocon, Javee | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  | 189 lb (86 kg)  | 1995–04–07  | San Beda
F | 29 |  | Nermal, Jhan | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  | 172 lb (78 kg)  | 1993–05–19  | STI WNU
F | 33 |  | Semerad, Anthony | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 220 lb (100 kg)  | 1991–04–25  | San Beda
G | 77 |  | Torres, Xyrus | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)  |  | 2000–09–23  | Far Eastern
C | –  |  | Davis, Ed (CI)  | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 240 lb (109 kg)  | 1989–06–05  | North Carolina

Head coach

*   * Jong Uichico

Assistant coach(es)

*   * Borgie Hermida (1st assistant)
*   * Anton Escolin
*   * Melo Lim
*   * Emman Monfort
*   * JB Sison
*   * Siot Tanquingcen
*   * Adonis Tierra

Team manager

*   * Virgil Villavicencio

* * *

Legend

* (C) Team captain
* (CI) Commissioner's Cup Import
* (GI) Governors' Cup Import
* (EI) EASL Import
* (DP) Unsigned draft pick
* (FA) Free agent
* (IN) Inactive
* (S) Suspended
* (R) Rookie

* Injured

* * *

Roster

* * *

## Head coaches

[edit]

Name  | Start  | End  | Seasons  | Overall record  | Best finish

|
|
|
|
|

W | L | PCT | G
Boyet Fernandez | 2014 | 2016 | 2 | 28 | 44 | .389 | 72 | Quarterfinals
Yeng Guiao | 2016 | 2022 | 6 | 71 | 96 | .425 | 167 | Semifinals
Frankie Lim | 2022 | 2024 | 2 | 23 | 28 | .451 | 51 | Quarterfinals

## Season-by-season records

[edit]

Main article: List of NLEX Road Warriors seasons

Records from the 2024–25 PBA season:
Conf. | Team name | Elimination round | Playoffs

|
|
|

Finish | W | L | PCT | Stage | Results
GOV | NLEX Road Warriors | 4th in Group B | 5 | 5 | .500 | Quarterfinals | TNT 3, NLEX 1
COM | TBD | TBD | TBD | – | TBD | TBD
PHI | TBD | TBD | TBD | – | TBD | TBD
Total elimination round | 5 | 5 | .500 | TBD
Total playoffs | 1 | 3 | .250 | TBD
Total 2024–25 | 6 | 8 | .429 | TBD
Total franchise | 127 | 175 | .421 | 0 championships

*one-game playoffs
**team had the twice-to-beat advantage

## Awards

[edit]

### Individual awards

[edit]

PBA Mythical Second Team

* Sean Anthony (2015-16)
* Asi Taulava (2014-15, 2015-16)

PBA Sportsmanship Award

* Kevin Alas (2021, 2022-23)

### PBA Press Corps Individual Awards

[edit]

All-Rookie Team

* Calvin Oftana (2021)
* Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (2022-23)

### All-Star Weekend

[edit]

All-Star MVP

* Robert Bolick – (2024)

Obstacle Challenge

* Dave Marcelo – (2024)

All - Star Selection

2015

* Asi Taulava

2016

* Asi Taulava

2017

* Rabeh Al-Hussaini
* Alfonzo Gotladera
* Bradwyn Guinto
* Glenn Khobuntin
* Carlo Lastimosa
* Asi Taulava

2018

* Cyrus Baguio
* Emman Monfort
* Kiefer Ravena
* J.R. Quiñahan
* Asi Taulava

2019

* John Paul Erram
* Asi Taulava

2023

* Kevin Alas

2024

* Robert Bolick

### Retired numbers

[edit]

NLEX Road Warriors retired numbers

N°  | Player  | Position  | Tenure
88 | Asi Taulava | C | 2014–2023[a]

## See also

[edit]

* NLEX Road Warriors draft history

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Jersey number retired during Taulava's final PBA game[16]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ NLEX files letter of intent to formalize bid to put up PBA expansion team, Snow Badua, spin.ph, March 6, 2014
2. ^ PBA approves entry of new teams NLEX, Kia, Blackwater for next season Archived October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Rey Joble, InterAksyon.com, April 10, 2014
3. ^ No direct amateur hires for expansion teams NLEX, Kia, Blackwater Archived April 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Rey Joble, InterAksyon.com, April 10, 2014
4. ^ More concessions, but still no direct hires for PBA expansion teams Kia, NLEX, Blackwater Archived April 24, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, InterAksyon.com, April 24, 2014
5. ^ Joble, Rey (June 17, 2014). "No more expansion: NLEX buying existing team to join PBA". InterAksyon. Archived from the original on June 22, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
6. ^ "NLEX confirms acquiring an existing PBA team, declines option to put up expansion club". Spin.ph. June 16, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
7. ^ NLEX reaches deal to acquire Air 21 franchise, awaits league approval Archived June 26, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Rey Joble, InterAksyon.com, June 23, 2014
8. ^ Ballesteros, Jan (June 26, 2014). "PBA approves NLEX's acquisition of Air21 franchise". Sports Desk PH. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
9. ^ Bracher, Jane (June 26, 2014). "PBA: Air21 franchise officially sold to NLEX". Rappler. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
10. ^ Pamintuan, Carlo (June 26, 2014). "NLEX Road Warriors officially enter the PBA after buying the Air21 Express". Yahoo PH Sports. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
11. ^ a b Terrado, Jonas (September 2, 2022). "PBA: Yeng Guiao, NLEX part ways". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
12. ^ Li, Matthew (September 2, 2022). "Yeng Guiao, NLEX part ways". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
13. ^ Lintag, Paul (July 13, 2018). "SUPER 8: PBA's NLEX, Blackwater, set for Macau invitational". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
14. ^ a b Ventura, Sid (September 2, 2022). "Yeng Guiao steps down as NLEX coach". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
15. ^ Ramos, Gerry (September 2, 2022). "Yeng Guiao, NLEX part ways as contract talks break down". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
16. ^ Gasgonia, Dennis (December 13, 2023). "PBA: NLEX retires Asi Taulava's No. 88 jersey". news.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.

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NLEX Road Warriors

* Founded in 2014
* Owned by the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation

Franchise|

* Franchise
* 3x3 team
* All-time roster
* Draft history
* Seasons
* Current season

Head coaches|

* Fernandez
* Guiao
* Lim

Retired numbers|

* 88

Links to related articles

* v
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* e

NLEX Road Warriors seasons

* Franchise
* Seasons

2010s|

|  |  |  |  |  |  2014–15 |  2015–16 |  2016–17 |  2017–18 |  2019

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2020s|

|  2020 |  2021 |  |  2022–23 |  2023–24 |  2024–25 |  |  |  |

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* v
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NLEX Road Warriors current roster

* 1 Rodger
* 2 Miranda
* 7 Alas
* 8 Bolick
* 9 Fajardo
* 10 Anthony
* 11 Herndon
* 12 Nieto
* 14 Amer
* 15 Napoles
* 20 Marcelo
* 22 Pascual
* 23 Policarpio
* 24 Valdez
* 26 Mocon
* 29 Nermal
* 33 Semerad
* 77 Torres
* – Davis (Import)

* Head coach: Uichico

* Assistant coaches: Hermida
* Lim
* Monfort
* Sison
* Tanquingcen
* Tierra

* v
* t
* e

Philippine Basketball Association

2024–25 season

* Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
* Blackwater Bossing
* Converge FiberXers

* Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots
* Meralco Bolts
* NLEX Road Warriors

* NorthPort Batang Pier
* Phoenix Fuel Masters
* Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

* San Miguel Beermen
* Terrafirma Dyip
* TNT Tropang Giga

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* Seasons
* Champions
* The Grand Slam
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* Philippine Cup
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