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Tag: DeQuan Jones

  • NLEX races against time to replace injured DeQuan Jones 

    NLEX races against time to replace injured DeQuan Jones 

    NLEX is facing a race against the clock after losing DeQuan Jones for the remainder of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, leaving the Road Warriors with just days to find a replacement import.

     

    Jones suffered a gruesome ankle injury during NLEX’s overtime victory over TNT on Tuesday, forcing the team to immediately shift its attention toward finding another reinforcement before its final game ahead of the league’s long break.

     

    The Road Warriors are scheduled to face Converge on Friday, giving coach Jimmy Alapag little time to make a decision. NLEX must submit its new import to the league by Thursday noon or enter the matchup with an all-Filipino lineup.

     “You never expect your import to go down. I’ll get our staff together with management and try to figure out what we can do kasi ‘yung next game is Friday so medyo bitin ‘yung time,” Alapag said.

     

    The urgency is understandable. Jones had become a major piece of NLEX’s impressive campaign, averaging 24.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks through eight games as the Road Warriors climbed near the top of Group A.

     

    Replacing that production on short notice will be a difficult task, but NLEX knows it cannot afford to dwell on the setback with another important game approaching.

     

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    “But we will do the best we can. But again, right now, all of our thoughts and prayers are with DJ. 

     

    Big time loss for our team but we will try to find somebody who can fill that void,” Alapag said.

     

    Jones has already undergone successful surgery to repair the ankle dislocation sustained in the injury. He is also scheduled for another procedure to address the fractured fibula he suffered in the same incident.

     

    While the Road Warriors work on finding his replacement, Alapag made it clear that the team’s immediate concern remains Jones himself rather than simply the production they have lost on the court.

     

    “My deepest prayers go out to DJ. More than the basketball player, it’s the person. The team had lunch yesterday and his value to this team goes far beyond what he does on the basketball court. It’s the person, it’s the leadership, it’s the character. It’s heartbreaking to see him go down,” Alapag said.

     

    That makes the search for a new import about more than filling a statistical gap.

     

    NLEX is trying to replace a player who had become an important part of the team’s identity, while also keeping its momentum alive before the Governors’ Cup pauses for Gilas Pilipinas’ commitments.

     

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  • NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag heartbroken over DeQuan Jones injury

    NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag heartbroken over DeQuan Jones injury

    The NLEX Road Warriors continued their dominant run in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup, beating the TNT Tropang 5G, 118-111, on Tuesday, August 11, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

    But the victory came at a heavy cost as NLEX import DeQuan Jones suffered a gruesome right leg injury in the third quarter.

     

    Jones had been putting together another productive outing before the injury with 7:27 remaining in the period. He landed awkwardly after a play, with his right leg getting caught underneath him following a collision with TNT center Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.

     

    Jones immediately went down in pain as players from both teams rushed to his side. The game was briefly halted as medical personnel attended to the veteran import.

     

     

     

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    NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag lamented the loss of one of his team’s key players, saying it was heartbreaking to see Jones go down.

    “It’s heartbreaking to see him go down. He and I just had lunch yesterday, and his value to this team goes far beyond what he brings to the basketball court. It’s the person, the leadership, the character,” Alapag said in a press conference.

     

    Jones has been brilliant since returning to the PBA, averaging 24.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while helping NLEX win seven of its first eight games.

     

    The Road Warriors return to action on Friday, August 15, against the Converge FiberXers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. NLEX will then have an extended break as the PBA takes a hiatus while Gilas Pilipinas competes in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers and the 2026 Asian Games.

     

    Alapag did not disclose how NLEX plans to cope with Jones’ absence, although the team will have some time to regroup during the league’s break.

     

    “You never expect your import to go down. So we will try to figure out what we can do, but we will do the best that we can. We will try to find somebody who can fill that void,” Alapag said.

     

    Jones has since undergone successful surgery on his right leg, with NLEX team governor Ronald Dulatre saying the star import remains in high spirits following the procedure.

     

     

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  • Robert Bolick compares injured DeQuan Jones to Justin Brownlee after NLEX beats TNT in OT thriller  

    Robert Bolick compares injured DeQuan Jones to Justin Brownlee after NLEX beats TNT in OT thriller  

    Robert Bolick could barely celebrate NLEX’s latest victory.

     

    The Road Warriors had just beaten TNT for the second time in as many weeks, escaping with a thrilling 118-111 overtime win Tuesday at the Ynares Center–Antipolo to improve to 7-1 in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

     

    But for Bolick, the result was secondary after seeing DeQuan Jones go down with an apparent serious leg injury.

     

     

    Jones was stretchered off the court late in the third quarter following a collision with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, leaving NLEX without its import for the remainder of the game.

     

    And while the Road Warriors found a way to finish the job, Bolick admitted it was difficult to celebrate knowing what happened to one of the team’s biggest contributors.

     

    “Ang hirap mag celebrate, ang hirap makahanap ng import na di lang magaling, pero mabait eh.”

     

    Bolick’s next words showed just how highly NLEX values Jones.

     

    “Sya yung Justin Brownlee sa team namin.”

     

    For a player who has seen first-hand what a dominant import can mean to a PBA team, Bolick’s comparison carried plenty of weight.

     

    Jones has been at the heart of NLEX’s unbeaten run for most of the conference, providing the scoring, production and leadership that helped turn the Road Warriors into the early pace-setters in Group A.

     

    “Kaya nga kami 7-1, malaking part nun sya.”

     

    Still, NLEX showed Tuesday that it was capable of surviving without Jones.

     

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    Bolick delivered 27 points, including the Road Warriors’ final eight points in regulation. With NLEX facing elimination from the lead late in the fourth, he buried a clutch four-pointer over Rey Nambatac with 2.2 seconds left to force overtime.

     

    He then continued making plays in the extra period, picking off a Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson pass before setting up David Semerad for an open basket that gave NLEX a 118-111 lead.

     

    Ljay Gonzales also produced a career performance with 26 points and six rebounds, giving the Road Warriors another major boost when they needed it most.

     

    “Pero at the same time, kahit wala kaming import, lumaban kami.”

     

    That resilience may prove crucial moving forward.

     

    Jones finished with 23 points before suffering the injury, with early reports indicating a complete right lower-leg fracture and surgery potentially scheduled as early as Wednesday.

     

    NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag was visibly affected by the injury but praised his players for finding a way to finish the game.

     

    “My deepest prayers to DJ. More than the basketball player, it’s the person. It’s heartbreaking to see him go down, but I’m so proud of ouR guys,” Alapag said.

     

    The victory moved NLEX to 7-1 and further strengthened its grip on the top spot in Group A, but the Road Warriors could now face their biggest challenge of the conference yet.

     

    For Bolick, however, Tuesday’s game was less about another win over TNT and more about a teammate who has helped make their remarkable run possible.

     

    NLEX proved it could win without Jones.

     

    The bigger question is whether it can continue doing so if its import is forced to miss significant time.

     

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  • TNT’s Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser emotional after accidental collision injures NLEX import DeQuan Jones

    TNT’s Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser emotional after accidental collision injures NLEX import DeQuan Jones

    The NLEX Road Warriors continued their dominant run in the 2026 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup, but their latest victory came at a heavy cost.

     

    NLEX defeated the TNT Tropang 5G, 118-111, on Tuesday, August 11, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo to further cement its status as one of the conference’s top teams. However, the Road Warriors’ impressive performance was overshadowed by a gruesome right leg injury suffered by import DeQuan Jones in the third quarter.

     

    Jones was having another productive outing for NLEX before the unfortunate incident with 7:27 remaining in the third period.

     

     

     

     

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    The veteran import landed awkwardly after a play and his right leg was inadvertently caught underneath him following a collision with TNT center Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. Jones immediately went down in pain as players from both teams rushed toward him.

     

    Medical personnel quickly attended to Jones and placed him on a stretcher before carrying him out of the arena. He was subsequently transported to a hospital by ambulance for further evaluation.

     

    The injury visibly affected players from both teams, particularly Ganuelas-Rosser, who was visibly emotional following the incident. The TNT big man appeared shaken by the collision and was later consoled by NLEX veteran Kevin Alas after the game.

     

    Ganuelas-Rosser stressed after the contest that the incident was purely accidental and expressed his concern for Jones, whom he said he deeply respects.

    “You don’t want to be labeled like a dirty player or that I did that on purpose. He is someone that I look up to, and he is someone that I have nothing but admiration for. And I don’t want anything like that to happen,” Ganuelas-Rosser said during the postgame press conference.

     

    The 32-year-old center also revealed that he and Jones had spoken before the game, describing the NLEX import as a friendly person away from the court.

     

    “DeQuan’s a nice import, good person, so I’m just hoping for the best. It’s part of the game, but it’s hard for that to happen,” Ganuelas-Rosser added.

     

    Jones had been one of NLEX’s most important players throughout the Governors’ Cup and was once again making his presence felt before the injury. He finished with 23 points, four rebounds and one assist, helping the Road Warriors maintain control of the game and eventually secure the seven-point victory.

     

    His absence in the second half left a noticeable void for NLEX, which had relied heavily on his scoring, athleticism and ability to create opportunities on both ends of the floor.

     

    Despite the emotional turn of events, the Road Warriors managed to hold off TNT and preserve their winning momentum. The victory further strengthened NLEX’s position at the top of the Governors’ Cup standings and underscored the team’s depth and resilience.

     

    But for the Road Warriors, the final buzzer was accompanied by concern rather than celebration.

    After the game, NLEX players gathered around the court and offered a prayer for Jones, a poignant scene that reflected the gravity of the injury and the close bond within the team.

     

    Jones’ condition and the extent of his injury are expected to become clearer following his medical evaluation. For NLEX, the immediate concern now shifts from its impressive winning streak to the health and recovery of its star import.

     

    The Road Warriors may have walked away with another crucial victory, but the night ultimately belonged to Jones—and to the hope that their standout import can make a full and speedy recovery.

     

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  • “My teammates make things easier for me”: DeQuan Jones credits local players for extending NLEX’s unbeaten run

    “My teammates make things easier for me”: DeQuan Jones credits local players for extending NLEX’s unbeaten run

    The NLEX Road Warriors continue to establish themselves as the team to beat in the 2026 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup after extending their unbeaten run to six games with another impressive victory.

     

    The Road Warriors maintained their perfect start to the conference on Tuesday, August 4, overcoming defending champions TNT Tropang 5G, 88-83, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The victory not only preserved NLEX’s spotless record but also further strengthened their credentials as legitimate title contenders in one of the league’s most competitive conferences.

     

    Leading the way once again was import DeQuan Jones, who delivered another all-around performance with a game-high 27 points, seven rebounds, and one assist. Jones provided the offensive spark throughout the contest while also making key plays on the defensive end as NLEX held off a determined TNT side in the closing minutes.

     

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    Despite his standout display, Jones was quick to deflect the praise toward his Filipino teammates, emphasizing that NLEX’s success has been built on collective effort rather than individual brilliance.

     

    “We know and understand that the key to longevity is evening our workload,” Jones said after the game. “For me personally, my job is to give the team whatever it needs to win. When you play with Berto (Bolick), Schonny (Winston), and LJ (Gonzales), it’s tiring chasing them up and down, but they make things easier for me.”

    Jones’ comments reflected the chemistry that has developed within the NLEX squad during its remarkable start to the tournament. Rather than relying solely on their import, the Road Warriors have consistently received meaningful contributions from their local core, making them one of the deepest and most balanced teams in the conference.

     

    LJ Gonzales continued his solid run of form by contributing 11 points, while veteran floor general Robert “Berto” Bolick added 10 points and orchestrated the offense with his usual composure. Schonny Winston, JB Bahio, and Enoch Valdez each chipped in with nine points, highlighting the balanced scoring attack that has become a hallmark of coach Jimmy Alapag’s side.

     

    That offensive balance proved crucial against a TNT team that repeatedly threatened to erase NLEX’s advantage. Every time the Tropang 5G mounted a rally, another Road Warrior stepped up with a timely basket or defensive stop, underscoring the team’s growing confidence and resilience.

     

    With six consecutive victories to open the conference, NLEX has quickly become the biggest talking point of the Governors’ Cup. However, Jones insists that the team’s flawless record has not changed its approach or created unnecessary pressure within the locker room.

     

    “Honestly, the only time we are reminded of the pressure is after the game,” Jones said. “In the first talk we had with coach Jimmy Alapag, he told us to have a next-play mentality. We will take every game one at a time, we will focus and hone our craft. We know what we want to achieve. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

     

    That mindset has become a defining characteristic of the Road Warriors’ campaign. Rather than getting caught up in their unbeaten streak or outside expectations, the team has remained committed to its process, with Alapag consistently stressing discipline, defensive intensity, and unselfish basketball.

     

    As the conference progresses, maintaining that level of consistency will become increasingly important. Opposing teams will undoubtedly be eager to end NLEX’s winning run, making every game a fresh challenge for the league leaders.

     

    The Road Warriors will have another opportunity to protect their perfect record when they return to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, August 7, to face the Terrafirma Dyip. With momentum firmly on their side and confidence continuing to grow, NLEX will be aiming to extend its unbeaten start to seven games and further cement its status as one of the favorites to capture the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup championship.

     

     

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  • NLEX turns back to a familiar fix as DeQuan Jones returns for Governors’ Cup run 

    NLEX turns back to a familiar fix as DeQuan Jones returns for Governors’ Cup run 

    After reaching the top of the standings but falling short when it mattered most, NLEX is banking on something familiar to help change its postseason fortunes.

     

    The Road Warriors have decided not to roll the dice on a new reinforcement for the upcoming PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, instead bringing back former NBA player DeQuan Jones for another tour of duty.

     

    The move signals a clear direction for NLEX: continuity over experimentation.

     

    Team governor Ronald Dulatre confirmed that Jones is set to arrive Monday morning as the Road Warriors begin preparations for the season-ending conference, which opens on July 10.

     

     

    Jones returns to a team that experienced both the highs and frustrations of the past season.

     NLEX emerged as the No. 1 seed in the Commissioner’s Cup, only to suffer a stunning quarterfinal exit at the hands of eventual champion TNT despite holding the twice-to-beat advantage.

     

    Now, the Road Warriors are hoping familiarity can become an advantage.

     

    The 35-year-old import is no stranger to the franchise after joining NLEX midway through last season’s Governors’ Cup as a replacement for Myke Henry. Though his stint lasted only part of the conference, Jones helped stabilize the squad and guided it into the playoffs with a 3-4 record during the eliminations.

     

    His return also continues a growing trend around the league, with teams opting to reunite with proven imports rather than start from scratch. Barangay Ginebra is bringing back Justin Brownlee, while Rain or Shine has once again tapped Aaron Fuller.

     

    For NLEX, Jones offers more than just familiarity.

     

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    The athletic forward owns one of the more diverse basketball résumés among imports in the league. After a stint with the NBA’s Orlando Magic, he carved out a lengthy international career that took him through Italy, Japan, France, China, and Israel. He also earned recognition in the NBA G League, where he was once named Most Improved Player and captured a Slam Dunk Contest title.

     

    His connection to Philippine basketball runs deeper as well.

     

    Jones previously played alongside former NLEX star Kiefer Ravena with Shiga Lakes in Japan’s B.League. Ravena was instrumental in recommending the veteran forward to the Road Warriors before Jones first arrived in the PBA.

     

    Now, Jones returns to a roster that already knows what he brings to the table.

     

    The challenge, however, is bigger than simply making the playoffs. NLEX has already proven it can compete with the league’s best during the elimination round. The next step is ensuring that success carries over when the pressure intensifies in the postseason.

     

    With DeQuan Jones back in the fold, the Road Warriors are betting that a familiar face can help them finish what they started.

     

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