With the official arrival of Schonny Winston in exchange for Jonnel Policarpio, the NLEX Road Warriors have effectively found their new backcourt centerpiece. Winston’s elite two-way potential and scoring gravity make him the perfect partner for Robert Bolick, but the trade also left a massive hole in the frontline.
If the Road Warriors want to transition from "playoff participant" to "championship favorite," they must address their lack of interior size. Here are the top three players NLEX should target to complete their championship puzzle:
#3. Clifford Jopia (Blackwater Bossing)
While names like Winston and Bolick grab the headlines, championships are often anchored by "role-playing" giants. Clifford Jopia, the 6-foot-8 center currently with Blackwater Bossing, is a raw but high-upside asset that NLEX should monitor closely.
The Fit: NLEX’s current local rotation features hard-working bigs like JB Bahio and Dave Marcelo, but they lack a true 6'8" rim protector. Jopia is young, mobile, and possesses the length to alter shots in the paint—a perfect defensive insurance policy for a guard-heavy lineup.
The Strategy: Blackwater is currently in a state of flux. If NLEX can offer a package centered around future second-round picks or bench depth, they could secure a long-term defensive anchor for a "buy-low" price.
The rumors of a Greg Slaughter comeback have reached a fever pitch after he was spotted practicing with Titan Ultra. While Titan holds his rights, they are a team still searching for an identity.
The Fit: Despite the injuries and time away, you cannot teach 7 feet. In a Commissioner’s Cup where imports are reaching 7'3", NLEX needs a local who won't be bullied in the post. Slaughter’s veteran presence and high-post passing would thrive in Coach Jong Uichico’s structured system.
The Trade: If Titan is willing to trade Slaughter for a package of veterans and draft capital, NLEX should pull the trigger. Pairing Slaughter with Winston and Bolick creates a formidable "Big Three" that balances elite perimeter scoring with a massive interior wall.
If NLEX wants to create an offensive juggernaut, Jason Perkins is the ultimate prize. While "Hefty Lefty" doesn't solve the team's height issues, he provides a level of versatility that would make NLEX's offense impossible to scheme against.
The Fit: Imagine a lineup where Robert Bolick and Schonny Winston are flanked by Jason Perkins at the power forward spot. Perkins is a "bully-ball" artist in the post who can also stretch the floor with a lethal three-point shot.
The Synergy: Perkins’ arrival would magnify the offensive firepower of Bolick. Defenses would be forced into a "pick your poison" scenario: double Bolick and leave Perkins open at the elbow, or stay home on the shooters and watch Winston slice through the paint.
By landing Schonny Winston, NLEX won the backcourt war. However, the loss of Policarpio means they are now vulnerable in the paint. Targetting a physical "banger" like Jopia, a giant like Slaughter, or an offensive powerhouse like Perkins is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity.
The Verdict: If NLEX can secure even one of these three targets before the mid-season deadline, the "Winston-Bolick Era" could very well begin with a championship parade.
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