NLEX's prized rookie did not play like a rookie.
First-year guard Kiefer Ravena did not shy away from the bright lights of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals as he led the NLEX Road Warriors to a 105-99 win over the Alaska Aces and a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three series.
The second overall pick of the 2017 draft led all scorers with 25 points while also adding eight assists. Veteran Larry Fonacier was right behind Ravena as he trickled in 18 points, including four three-pointers.
"Just relieved that Game 1 is over. The good news is we won this one. The bad news is we have to go through this again and it will be harder on Wednesday," said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.
Ravena made two crucial plays in the last 30 seconds to clinch the Game 1 victory. The 24-year-old first made an assist to Michael Miranda to give the advantage back to the Road Warriors, 98-96. On the following play, Ravena connected on a tough drive with 20 seconds remaining to push the NLEX lead even further. Alaska's Simon Enciso answered with a triple but clutch free throws by Ravena and Kevin Alas sealed the win.
NLEX was able to shoot 54 percent from the field while limiting the Aces to just 37 percent shooting. The Road Warriors were still able to come on top despite committing 24 turnovers.
"We will go back to practice tomorrow and see where we can improve our game and we'll be ready for Alaska," assessed Guiao. "We know they'll be coming back a lot harder than they did today."
Chris Banchero led Alaska with 20 points while Calvin Abueva chipped in with a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds.
"This series is not over. of course we have an advantage, but with Alaska, they've been through a lot more difficult situations and they've come out of those situations pretty good," Guiao stressed.
Game 2 between the Aces and the Road Warriors will take place on Wednesday, March 5.
THE SCORES
NLEX 105 - Ravena 25, Fonacier 18, Alas 17, Quiñahan 12, Miranda 10, Baguio 8, Al-Hussaini 4, Soyud 4, Taulava 4, Tiongson 3, Gotladera 0, Mallari 0.
ALASKA 99 - Banchero 20, Abueva 18, Enciso 16, Thoss 11, Casio 8, Magat 4, Racal 4, Teng 4, Baclao 1, Cruz 0, Exciminiano 0.
Quarters: 24-22, 50-40, 74-72, 105-99.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
- This was the first franchise win by NLEX in the playoffs. Since joining the PBA in 2014, they had not had a postseason victory prior to this game.
- It was the second meeting between prized rookies Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng in the PBA. After the eliminations of the Philippine Cup, the two rising stars led all rookies in statistical points.
- Larry Fonacier was 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. He now has at least 800 three-pointers made in his career which makes him the 11th player in PBA history to achieve such a feat.
NEXT GAME
Alaska vs NLEX Game 2 - 7:00PM at Smart-Araneta Coliseum