MACAU -- Even without its top two scorers for the upcoming 2018 PBA Governors' Cup, Yeng Guiao expects NLEX to be back in playoff contention as the Road Warriors welcome the return of veteran sharpshooter Larry Fonacier from injury.
The 6-2 former Ateneo wingman was shut down for the last four games of the Commissioner's Cup due to a collapsed lung.
Guiao said they took the necessary precaution by deactivating Fonacier in the tail-end of the Commissioner's Cup.
"Larry will be able to play this coming conference. If it's (start of the Governors' Cup) Aug 17, I think by the first week of August, he should be okay," Guiao told ESPN5.
The Road Warriors are currently here in Macau for the 2018 Asia League Summer Super 8, an all-local tournament that features professional squads from China, Chinese-Taipei, South Korea and Japan.
The fiery mentor admitted Fonacier's presence will be a welcome development for an NLEX side that only won twice in the mid-season conference to finish 11th overall.
"His injury is not that serious but it was still a cause for concern, the collapsed lung. And I think the problem with an internal injury like that is you have to be conservative on that approach because you don't for sure how long he will recover then," shared the 59-year veteran PBA coach. "But we expect Larry to join us in practice by the time we return to Manila."
Fonacier, selected 14th overall in the 2005 PBA Rookie Draft, is a seven-time PBA champion. His experience will go a long way for an NLEX squad that is currently adjusting to life without suspended rookie Kiefer Ravena and injured Kevin Alas.
The 36-year-old Fonacier averaged decent stats line of 8.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the Commissioner's Cup.
NLEX will be taking on the Formosa Dreamers from the Asean Basketball League on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the Macao East Asian Games Dome.
Joining NLEX in the Asia League tourney is Blackwater, which faces Korean Basketball League team Samsung Thunders at 5 p.m.