PBA: Xyrus Torres emerging as consistent contributor for NLEX

Outside the prolific Robert Bolick, an unheralded cager is emerging as a consistent contributor for the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.

It’s rookie Xyrus Torres.

Torres had a lot to do with the Road Warriors’ resurgence in the All-Filipino conference, averaging 13.6 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.

[RELATED STORY: Hurt and all, Robert Bolick steers NLEX to 4th straight victory vs Gin Kings in PBA PH Cup]

In a cardiac win against Ginebra, he wound up with 11 points--including a clutch corner triple that gave NLEX the lead for good after muffing two crucial free throws in the previous play.

Asked what changed this conference for him and the rest of the team, Torres said it was work ethic.

“Usually dati darating kami, practice lang eh. Ngayon iba na. Parang dumarating kami early to work [on] skills with coach Emman talaga,” said Torres, who also had three rebounds and four assists to his name as the Road Warriors rolled to a fourth straight win in five games.

“Lahat naman ng coaches na nagbibigay skills samin, 'yun nakakatulong. Kaya rin siguro ako nagiging consistent, sa mga tinatrabaho din namin.”

Teammate Robert Bolick couldn’t help but be proud of the young cager.

“Down sya. Nag-miss siya ng free throws. sabi ko di yan, ‘OK lang yan. part 'yan ng pagiging rookie. Matututunan mo rin yan. ‘ But at the end of the day, 'pag libre ka tira mo lang. Big shot yung tira nya sa corner,” he said.

NLEX coach Jong Uichico shared a similar sentiment, saying high-pressure games like this one bodes well for his relatively young team.

“The pressure still gets to them so we should give them that leeway to be able to deal with that type of pressure and give them the type of pressure,” Uichico said.

“Nag-deliver naman si Xyrus. Wide open but buo loob nya. Yun lang naman gusto natin buo loob mo tumira, basta tira mo, e tira mo naman yun. Whether he misses or makes it wala naman kaso dun."