After two stellar outings, Kiefer Ravena got checked
The NLEX Road Warriors’ super rookie, who averaged 19.0 points and 8.5 assists in his first two games, was a non-factor in his team’s 95-102 loss to a balanced Phoenix Fuel Masters, Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Ravena only finished with eight markers on a dismal 4-of-13 shooting from the floor and two turnovers. He was able to make up for it in other facets, as he managed to collect seven assists.
The two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player disclosed that Phoenix’s defense bothered him for the entire game.
“Well siguro Phoenix had a game plan on me and they really executed,” opined the 24-year-old Phenom.
“It was siguro my fault that I have to prepare even more in certain situations and I have no excuses.
“I shot pretty bad from the field and I didn’t help the team enough especially down the stretch — I missed two straight free throws,” he added, referring to his botched freebies with 2:31 left to play that could’ve trimmed Phoenix’s lead.
The loss, which also ended their two-game winning streak, doesn’t help NLEX’s cause as they prepare to face powerhouses Magnolia Hotshots and defending All-Filipino champs San Miguel Beermen next week. But for Ravena, despite being aware of the tall orders ahead, these are perfect moments for him to redeem himself.
“Ganun talaga, siyempre ‘di okay matalo. But it’s the beauty of the sports world — one of the things in the world that allows you to bounce back right away,” said the Ateneo de Manila great. “Some things in life di ka na nila bibigyan ng chance.
“[But] sa sports, you know one game after another. It’s a long season. We have to pick it up, we have to wake up from this loss and prepare for Magnolia.”
