Kiefer Ravena continues to prove that he is the game-changer the NLEX Road Warriors have been waiting for.
The super rookie was the brightest star Monday night, when his veteran-like instincts took over during the home stretch served to be a huge boost that propelled the Road Warriors to a 1-0 quarterfinal series lead over Alaska Aces, 105-99.
Ravena made an assist to Michael Miranda to break the 96-all lock with 22 seconds left, and sank a lay-up off a jump ball situation between JR Quiñahan and Calvin Abueva in the 18-second mark to help NLEX ice the match.
The second overall pick in the 2017 Rookie Draft finished with a game-high 25 points along with eight rebounds. And for Ravena, the guts he displayed in the end-game was all a by-product of his desire to help his team reign victorious.
“Gusto ko lang din talaga manalo.
“I was really in the zone during the game kasi sayang ‘di ba, nagpakahirap ka buong conference, nandito ka na tapos magre-relax ka lang,” said the 24-year-old after the match at Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s just a best-of-three series, hindi siya best-of-seven na minimum four games lalaruin niyo. Ito pwedeng dalawa lang so yung mga ganitong games kailangan ma-capitalize,” Ravena continued.
Probably the perfect representation of his will was the show of emotion he had in the last 18 seconds. After sinking a lay-up that gave the Road Warriors a favorable 100-96 lead, Ravena released a scream that echoed around the venue.
“Medyo lumabas eh, hindi ko napigilan (yung emosyon),” shared Ravena of that scream of his.
“Everybody was locked in and focused dun sa last minute and a half I would say, kaya medyo lumabas yung emotions ko.”
Monday night’s victory was NLEX’s first-ever in a playoff setting. But for the currently top-ranked rookie in the league, that does not mean that he and the Road Warriors will stop there, as they aim to crack into the semifinals next.
“It’s nice to be part of history of the franchise, but we’re not satisfied. That wasn’t the goal that we set during the start of the season… Hopefully we get another taste of history for the franchise by making it to the semis,” he said.
“We’re one foot in, hopefully we get the other foot in too and close the door.”
