As he wants to keep NLEX's lead intact, Ravena takes over in clutch

"The Phenom" came alive in the fourth quarter to deliver the executioner's ax on Magnolia. Dennis Acosta
By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY--When NLEX started the second half of Game 4 of its PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Magnolia with a 14-0 run--19-0 if you will count NLEX's 5-0 mini run to end the first half--Kiefer Ravena began to feel a desire to not blow his team's lead, which stood at 16 that time.

And when the Road Warriors weathered a run by the Hotshots later in the third quarter and entered the fourth quarter up by 10, Ravena took flight.

"That's something na ayokong pakawalan, kasi mahirap kalaban ang Magnolia eh," said Ravena, who virtually finished off Magnolia by his lonesome down the stretch for a 91-79 win at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday night.

[Related Story: NLEX shuts down Magnolia to tie semis series]

Ravena had 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, but he scored NLEX's last seven points that eventually sealed the win.

"In those last five minutes, I don't wanna let my team down because we worked so hard to secure that lead," Ravena explained his urge for the clutch performance.

Now that the best-of-seven series is now at 2-all, the momentum has now shifted to the Road Warriors, and for Ravena, "Nalagay namin yung sarili namin sa sitwasyon na maganda.... Hopefully, we carry this momentum."

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