MANILA, Philippines – The NLEX Road Warriors will open their campaign in the 26th Dubai International Basketball Championships at the Al Ahli Club’s indoor hall on Friday against Libya's Al Ittihad.
The team arrived on Wednesday night just in time for the opening of the nine-team tournament on Thursday. But they won't see action until the second day.
Beefed up by NBA veteran Al Thornton, the Road Warriors are using this tournament as their training camp for the PBA Commissioner's Cup that is set to tip-off later this month.
Al is doing great. He is been with us for 5 days already. He is adjusting very well and he is getting into playing shape," NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez told Philstar.com in a text message from Dubai.
Fernandez is hell bent on improving their 10th place finish in their maiden conference in the PBA.
The multi-titled coach is hoping that Thornton, a former first-rounder in the NBA, will complement Asi Taulava down low.
"This will be a big test for him (Thornton), this Dubai tournament," Fernandez said.
NLEX will next face Sporting Club of Lebanon on January 18, the UAE national team on January 19 and will wind up their classification campaign against Al Zamayek of Egypt on January 20.