By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The NLEX Road Warriors followed the footsteps of the San Miguel Beermen after making a late import replacement in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup.
It was the NLEX front office who announced the news on September 12, 2024, confirming that they will be fielding former Orlando Magic player DeQuan Jones for the rest of the import-laced conference.
Jones will officially replace another former NBA talent in Myke Henry and will look to suit up for the Road Warriors when they battle the Rain or Shine Elastopainters on September 17, 2024.
Despite averaging a stellar stat sheet of 26.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, NLEX still decided to let go of Henry after falling to a 3-4 win-loss record in the Governor’s Cup.
With the presence of Jones, the Road Warriors coaching staff will look to tweak their gameplay as the American reinforcement plays a different style compared to Henry.
A more dominant threat in the shaded lane equipped with a consistent jump shot from the perimeter, Jones is expected to anchor the NLEX interior and score whenever his team needs him to.
Jones was a former teammate of Filipino Asian import Kiefer Ravena when they played together for the Shiga Lakestars in the Japan B. League.
In their run together, Jones was activated by the Lakestars as an energy guy and a defensive maestro, putting the clamps down on the opposing team’s scorer.
Aside from his experience in the Southeast Asian basketball scene, Jones also suited up for different professional hoops clubs in France, Italy, and Israel.
