Rookie Kiefer Ravena’s cold-blooded jumper with just nine-tenths of a second left to play helped the NLEX Road Warriors escape a gritty Meralco Bolts side, 87-85, Friday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
Ravena’s game-winner completed NLEX’s comeback from 10 points down in the game’s final five minutes, and lifted the Road Warriors to their second straight victory. They have improved to 4-4 for a share of the third spot of the standings.
“I had no hesitations because I know he would make the right decisions,” said coach Yeng Guiao of the Ateneo de Manila product.
Ravena finished with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting — a perfect way to bounce back after scoring just seven in their last win against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. He also added seven assists, four rebounds, and a steal to his name.
The Bolts were already leading 82-72 with 4:53 remaining in the game, but the Road Warriors unfurled 13 straight points — ended by Ravena’s pull-up trey and JR Quiñahan’s freebies — to take an 85-82 lead with 18.5 seconds left.
However, Chris Newsome gave life back to Meralco, as he made an and-one play over Ravena’s defense and sunk the free throw to knot things up once more at 85-all, just three seconds after Quiñahan’s conversion on the other end.
From there, Ravena’s wonders took place, leaving the Road Warriors in jubilation and the Bolts stunned, as they have absorbed their third straight loss.
Despite the win, however, Guiao made it clear that these are the kind of games he doesn’t want to have. “I don’t want this kind of games — high-tension, high-pressure… It’s good for the fans, but not for the coaches,” he quipped.
Veteran Larry Fonacier continues his stellar contributions, this time supplying 17 points and six rebounds for the Road Warriors. Kevin Alas also made his presence felt with 15 markers and six caroms as well.
Nico Salva’s career-high 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting went for naught with the Bolts’ loss, who are now 2-6. Newsome made 15 points and 11 rebounds; Baser Amer had 14 markers; and Garvo Lanete had 10 points and six boards.
NLEX will take on the streaking Alaska Aces this Sunday, February 11, while Meralco will aim to bounce back versus the Phoenix Fuel Masters on February 14, Wednesday. Both matches are set at 4:30 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
NLEX 87 — Ravena 21, Fonacier 17, Alas 15, Mallari 12, Al-Hussaini 6, Quiñahan 6, Baguio 4, Gotladera 2, Miranda 2, Monfort 2, Uyloan 0, Soyud 0, Taulava 0.
Meralco 85 — Salva 20, Newsome 15, Amer 14, Hugnatan 10, Lanete 10, Caram 7, Canaleta 4, Hodge 3, Bono 2, Dillinger 0, Tolomia 0.
Quarterscores: 10-26, 38-37, 62-65, 87-85.
