PHOTO: Nuki Sabio | PBA Images | Spin archives
VICTORIOUS were Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang the last time they teamed up outside of San Sebastian as they steered NLEX to the 2012 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
It was nine years ago when the Cabalen duo, then playing for the Road Warriors in the developmental ranks, steamrolled the competition and completed a perfect 13-0 season, capped off by a two-game sweep of Big Chill in the Finals.
NLEX effectively cemented its dynasty in the newly formed league, winning its third crown in as many conferences.
But the Road Warriors winning the championship in this tourney shouldn't really come as a surprise. After all, they didn't just have Abueva and Sangalang, but also had a bevy of bluechip talents in the amateur ranks.