When the 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup schedule came out, many were excited when the curtain opener for the Christmas day games was the NLEX Road Warriors taking on the Globalport Batang Pier. It was supposed to be the first showdown between former UAAP Most Valuable Players Kiefer Ravena and Terrence Romeo in the pro league.
However, Romeo was out for the game as he is still recovering from a right knee contusion. And Ravena was relieved that only half of Globalport’s two-headed beast was present.
“Mahirap eh, mahirap si Stan. Buti nga si Stan lang eh,” shared Ravena after NLEX defeated Globalport, 115-104, at the Philipipne Arena.
Ravena finished the game with 20 points, five assists, and four steals while committing no errors. Pringle, on the other hand, finished with a whopping 33 points and 10 rebounds.
“It’s hard to contain Stan that way and then si Terrence sasama pa so medyo mahirap, mahirap bantayan.
“At least isa lang kinailangan namin bantayan, yung focal point ng offense ng Globalport,” the NLEX rookie added.
If Romeo was around, it would have been harder for the Road Warriors and the team’s guards. Still, the 24-year-old was just glad to take home his first-ever Christmas game win in the pros.
“It’s Christmas, and it’s nice to have family around.
“Of course going to the game, everybody wanted a win,” Ravena shared, “You don’t want to travel all the way here in the Philippine Arena, a great environment, to just play and not give it a hundred percent. Pagpasok namin dito, ready kami to play and to win.
“We all wanted that Christmas gift, which is a win. Hopefully, we can continue this.”
Truly, it’s a very merry Christmas for the Ravena household and the Road Warriors.
