Header Ads Widget

Ravena on NLEX's first Comm Cup win: "Malaking tinik yung nabunot doon"

Kiefer Ravena can now take a sigh of relief... for now. PBA Media Bureau
By Ivan Saldajeno

BINAN--After a 0-3 start, NLEX finally scored a win in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, subduing Phoenix, 120-115, at the Alonte Sports Arena on Friday night.


"Parang malaking tinik yung nabunot doon knowing that we're barely breathing," star rookie Kiefer Ravena said after the game.

Defining what he meant when he said that the Road Warriors are now "barely breathing," the six-foot guard said, "Kumbaga, nandito na yung tubig," while pointing to his neck. "Ano na lang, survival mode."

However, Ravena added that there is nothing to take away from the Fuel Masters, who rallied from 19 points down and 10 within the last three minutes of regulation to force overtime.

"Mahirap kasing kalaban yung Phoenix. Kahit anong lamang mo, sa sobrang deadly ng three-pointers nila, ang dali nilang makahabol. Ilang minuto lang ang nawala, tumabla na sila agad. We kinda played not to lose instead of fighting it out... but we'll take it," he continued.

Ravena struggled in the game, only making nine points on 4-of-12 shooting, two rebounds, four assists, and one steal, but luckily for him, the other Road Warriors came to the rescue.

"Our import (Arnett Moultrie) came though. He had 37-17-8. And everybody else stepped up," Ravena further said, pertaining to JR Quinahan, Larry Fonacier, and Alex Mallari.

Add to that, NLEX assisted on 37 of its 42 made shots.

"I think it's a conference-high for any team. It's just to show that the hours and hours of hard work and dedication na ginagawa namin, lumabas na ngayon," Ravena lauded the team's ball movement.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno