With Shiga’s game against Gunma on Wednesday evening postponed by the B.League due to health and safety protocols, Kiefer Ravena had the time to watch NLEX’s game against Magnolia in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Despite both teams figuring in injury woes, the game itself was a thriller that went down to the wire.
The Road Warriors were down 109-110 with 32 seconds left.
Matt Nieto, a rookie who has veteran wits, was able to fish a foul against Jio Jalalon while attempting a three-point shot. It gave NLEX a shot in regaining the lead as it coughed up a cushion that went to as high as 14 points late in the third canto.
Unfortunately though, the 6-foot-1 guard out of Ateneo missed all three of his free throws.
After those misses, Mike Harris scored on a drive while misses from deep by KJ McDaniels and Don Trollano dealt the Road Warriors their third straight loss.
Immediately after the game, Ravena sent out a tweet, lauding NLEX for the stand it gave. Moreover, he told Nieto to charge this one to experience.
“Good game, NLEX,” read Ravena’s tweet.
“Heads up, Matt! Happens to the best of us.”
During his four-year stay with NLEX, Ravena, one of the most clutch players in the league before, also had off days.
Back on November 11, 2019 – ironically also against Magnolia – NLEX was behind 83-85 with 2.3 seconds remaining. Ravena went to the line in hopes of tying the game.
Ravena made the first free throw but missed the second. Fortunately for him, Jericho Cruz saved the day with a putback to seal the win.
This also happened to Ravena in the B.League.
(C) B.League
During Shiga’s game against Kyoto last October 16, the Lakestars were clinging to an 84-83 advantage with 11 seconds left.
Ravena had a chance to extend the lead on the stripe but missed both of his free throws. The Hannary, though, could not make a clean shot on the other end, giving the Lakestars the win.
For Ravena, those games are just one of those bad days. And he hopes that this mishap will not get the best of Nieto.
