MANILA, Philippines – When NLEX and NorthPort begin their campaign in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, we’ll get a glimpse of how their last-minute replacements perform.

Although they have their work cut out for them, both Batang Pier and the Road Warriors hope to improve on their respective performances in the most recent Governors Cup.

The protagonists’ primary worry is how each of their acquisitions does in their league debut.

NLEX decided to bring in Mike Watkins after veteran NBA player Ed Davis resigned due to a personal family issue. Only last Saturday did the well-traveled former Penn State student arrive in the nation.

After first pick Kavell Bigby Williams chose to try his luck in the Chinese league, NorthPort also had to scramble before opting for another G-League campaigner in Kadeem Jack.

Concerns on incorporating new imports into the team dynamic were voiced by NLEX coach Jong Uichico, who emphasized the difficulty of acclimating to a player who has just joined. A new immigrant upsets the rhythm that the local players have developed via playing together, necessitating a reevaluation of the team’s dynamics. For teams like NorthPort as well as NLEX, this transitional phase is difficult.

The team is currently evaluating their import, Watkins, to determine how well he fits into their system, Uichico admitted. He underlined the value of observation and flexibility, pointing out that Watkins has experience from playing in several leagues. The true test, though, will be how fast he can adapt to the PBA’s style of play and make a meaningful contribution. Keeping a competitive edge requires integrating an import, and how he affects the squad over the next four games will be vital.

NLEX coach Jong Uichico emphasized the importance of imports to a team’s performance, stressing the necessity of quickly acclimating to teammates and the PBA’s distinct style of play. Uichico thinks that if they want to improve on their previous eighth-place result in the season-opening conference, Watkins, their import, must have a smooth transition.

Uichico acknowledged that the short preparation period was a major obstacle, though. He hoped to spend more time with Watkins in order to fully incorporate him into their system and build on their on-court connection. The coach emphasized how important it is to have enough practice sessions before a new conference to guarantee team and individual preparedness.

Notwithstanding these limitations, Uichico is committed to maximizing the time at hand. He is aware that getting off to a fast start will be essential, particularly considering how difficult the mid-season conference is and how important every game is.

The good news for NLEX is that Kevin Alas, who has been out for almost a year due to an ACL injury, is healthy enough to play, though his minutes will likely be limited.

NorthPort would be using essentially the same roster that finished 10th in the Governors Cup, with the exception of the injured JM Calma, the suspended John Amores, and the dealt-away Brent Paraiso.

Coach Jong Uichico acknowledged the strength of the Batang Pier and made it clear that NLEX will not consider NorthPort an easy opponent. He clarified that NLEX is still dedicated to playing every game to the best of their abilities in spite of their difficulties. Uichico expressed confidence in his team’s capacity to compete with the other teams in the conference and said they will keep fighting and competing at the top level.

He emphasized that regardless of the opponent, it is crucial to always provide their best effort and to concentrate on getting better all the time. Although Uichico admitted that league victory is not assured, his club could achieve favorable results by upholding a strong work ethic and mentality. Being competitive and aiming for perfection in each game they play is his constant objective.

Uichico therefore underlined how crucial it is to maximize the time allotted for preparation and conference adaptation. He is nonetheless committed to making sure the team is prepared to perform to the best of their abilities in spite of these limitations.