NLEX will get its first look at new import Deonte Burton in a competitive setting when the Road Warriors take on Blackwater in the PBA On Tour on Wednesday at the San Jose Del Monte Sports Complex in Bulacan.

The exhibition game comes at an important time for NLEX, which recently brought in Burton to replace DeQuan Jones. Jones was forced to end his stint with the Road Warriors after suffering a significant knee and ankle injury, leaving the team with the difficult task of finding another reinforcement in the middle of the Governors’ Cup.

Burton now steps into that role, and the PBA On Tour opener provides him with an immediate opportunity to begin building chemistry with his new teammates.

The American forward is not entirely unfamiliar with NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag. Burton and Alapag previously crossed paths during their time with the Stockton Kings in the NBA G League, giving the coach some knowledge of what the veteran forward can offer on the court.

That familiarity could prove useful as Burton adjusts to a new league, a different team and a different style of basketball.

The 32-year-old has experience at the highest level of the sport, having appeared in the NBA and played in the G League. His background gives NLEX a reinforcement with professional experience, but the Road Warriors still need to determine how effectively his skills translate into their system.

That process begins against Blackwater.

The PBA On Tour is particularly useful for NLEX because the team has little time to waste before the Governors’ Cup resumes. Rather than waiting for an official game to evaluate Burton, the Road Warriors can use the exhibition schedule to introduce him to their offensive sets, defensive schemes and overall rotation.

Chemistry will be one of the biggest priorities.

Burton has to learn how his new teammates operate, while NLEX’s local players must also become accustomed to the tendencies of their new import. The exhibition games allow both sides to make those adjustments without the immediate consequences of an official conference matchup.

NLEX will also have to deal with the absence of Robert Bolick, who is away with Gilas Pilipinas. His unavailability means the Road Warriors will have to make changes to their backcourt rotation while giving other players opportunities to take on expanded responsibilities.

Blackwater will also enter the contest without Sedrick Barefield, who is likewise committed to the national team.

Those absences mean Wednesday’s game will not feature the full versions of either squad. Still, the matchup can provide valuable information for both coaching staffs.

For Blackwater, the game is another chance to evaluate its personnel and keep its players active during the PBA’s break. For NLEX, however, the spotlight is naturally centered on its new import.

Burton’s arrival comes as the Road Warriors continue to position themselves as a competitive team in the Governors’ Cup. His ability to quickly contribute could have a significant impact on NLEX’s aspirations once the regular conference schedule resumes.

The PBA On Tour itself was created to keep teams active while the league takes a break for international basketball commitments. It also allows the PBA to bring games to different communities, giving fans outside the usual league venues an opportunity to watch professional basketball.

Following the NLEX-Blackwater encounter in Bulacan, the On Tour will make stops in other areas, including Ilagan and Santiago City in Isabela, Batangas City and Candon City in Ilocos Sur.

But for NLEX, the opening stop is more than just another exhibition date.

It is Burton’s first chance to show what he can bring to the Road Warriors.

The team will likely be less concerned with the final score than with how Burton moves within the offense, communicates defensively and develops an understanding with his teammates. Every possession can give Alapag additional information about where the import fits best and which areas still require work.

Burton, meanwhile, has the chance to make an early impression before the games begin to matter again in the Governors’ Cup.

A strong showing would not necessarily guarantee immediate success, but it could give NLEX confidence that the team has found a capable replacement for Jones.

The Road Warriors are essentially using the PBA On Tour as an early testing ground.

For Burton, it is the beginning of his opportunity to prove that he can be the reinforcement NLEX needs for the remainder of its campaign.