New NLEX import debuts impressively

MANILA, Philippines -- NLEX Road Warriors head coach Frankie Lim lauded the "pretty decent" debut of import Deandre Williams-Baldwin.

Williams-Baldwin had a complete game Wednesday against the Converge FiberXers, finishing with 22 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists, as well as three steals and a block.

The 27-year-old's all-around outing on Wednesday was his professional basketball debut.

"For his first game in the PBA, it's pretty decent. At the half, I think he already had a double-double. So, that's big for us, because one of our weaknesses is rebounding," Lim told reporters in Filipino after the 107-103 win.

"We just have to get boards because we're undersized. Our bigs are missing, and we just have to work doubly hard in rebounding," he added.

On Wednesday's contest, NLEX missed the services of big men Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Dave Marcelo.

The Road Warriors were outrebounded by the FiberXers, 49 to 43.

However, Williams-Baldwin's 15 boards were a game-high.

"The reason why we changed our import is because of our record last december, we were 1-4. We thought we should get an import who can score and rebound," Lim added.

The import replaced Stokley Chaffee Jr., who averaged 22.8 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks per outing in five PBA games. 

Wednesday's win kept the quarterfinal hopes of NLEX alive. They are currently holding a 4-6 win-loss slate, similar to sister team TNT Tropang Giga.

The two teams are fighting for the final quarterfinal spot in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup. Both teams have one remaining elimination game each.