2-0 start a "nice Christmas gift" for Guiao

Kiefer Ravena's second half explosion helped give NLEX a fitting holiday treat. PBA Media Bureau
By Ivan Saldajeno

BOCAUE—From a very tough grind last season, NLEX found itself on top of the PBA Philippine Cup standings early into this season after going 2-0 to start its campaign.

What made the second win sweeter, however, is that it happened right on Christmas Day at the Philippine Arena.

"We just gave ourselves and our supporters a really nice Christmas gift," Coach Yeng Guiao said after the 115-104 victory.

[Related Story: NLEX withstands Pringle's Christmas barrage to repulse GlobalPort]

However, Guiao admitted that luck was on the Road Warriors' side despite an explosion from Stanley Pringle.

"It's difficult to devise a way of defending Pringle," Guiao continued.

For him as well, another lucky break was Terrence Romeo's nagging knee injury

"It's a big break that Terrence is not playing. [With Pringle's performance,] what more if nandyan pa si Terrence?" Guiao further commented.

Another factor was Kiefer Ravena's second half showcase, in which 14 of his 20 points came in the final 24 minutes when they began breaking away.

And for Guiao, he will continue to let Kief be Kief as the season progresses.

"Kiefer will take care of himself. He knows how to play in this league," Guiao said.

Up next for NLEX is sustaining the hot run, so the team, according to Guiao, will devote the two-week break from action mostly for team practice with a three-day break from Dec. 30-Jan. 1 in between.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno