Ravena shines as NLEX survives KIA; Magnolia rips Alaska

In search of a franchise player ever since taking over and overhauling the NLEX Road Warriors at the start of last season, coach Yeng Guiao has now found one in Kiefer Ravena.

Coming up three rebounds short of a triple double, Ravena’s 18 points and 12 assists helped the Road Warriors pull out a 119-115 decision of KIA Picanto as NLEX—although in quite a rocky manner—got its Philippine Cup bid off on the right foot Wednesday night at San Juan Arena.

NLEX trailed big at the start as the Picanto played with so much purpose after being maligned for all of the offseason with questionable manpower movement, and the Road Warriors needed a critical four-point play from the veteran Larry Fonacier with 66 seconds left to gut out the win.

Magnolia got 30 points from Paul Lee in the nightcap, with a 108-95 victory over Alaska putting the Hotshots in the company of the Road Warriors and three-time defending champion San Miguel Beer as opening match winners.

After having just five full practices with the squad in his return from an MCL injury, Lee hit 11-of-14 field goal attempts, making all but two of eight triple tries, in leading the undermanned Magnolia crew.

Calvin Abueva had 20 points, 15 rebounds and five assists for Alaska.

Guiao maximized his bench, getting eight players in twin digits, and the Road Warriors will use this contest to fine-tune their game as they prepare to slug it out with the powerhouses in the league.

“It was exactly what we expected, a hard game for us,” Guiao told reporters. “We will take this win how hard it came,” he went on. “We’re trying to build chemistry and we need to improve on a lot of things.”

The 6-foot Ravena, a former college star with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, played just under 30 minutes and hit all five of his two-point attempts and 7-for-10 overall. His pro debut completely overshadowed that of his dad’s, former San Miguel Beer swingman Bong, who had just two points against Pepsi.

Bong eventually went on to win the Rookie of the Year award in 1992 over Vergel Meneses.

SCORES
NLEX 119 — KIA 115

NLEX 119—Ravena 18, Miranda 14, Alas 14, Mallari 13, Fonacier 12, Al-Hussaini 12, Quinahan 12, Tiongson 11, Baguio 5, Soyud 4, Ighalo 4, Taulava 0.

KIA PICANTO 115—Camson 24, McCarthy 14, Corpuz 13, Reyes 12, Galanza 12, Celda 9, Ababou 9, Khobuntin 8, Paniamogan 7, Tubid 4, Yee 3, Caperal 0.
Quarters: 36-40, 64-68, 90-92, 119-115

MAGNOLIA 108 — ALASKA 95

MAGNOLIA 108—Lee 30, Gamalinda 15, Sangalang 13, Dela Rosa 10, Simon 9, Herndon 9, K. Pascual 9, Barroca 6, Melton 3, Ramos 2, Brondial 2.

ALASKA 95—Abueva 20, Manuel 20, Teng 16, Casio 10, R. Pascual 7, Enciso 5, Exciminiano 5, Banchero 4, Thoss 3, J. Pascual 2, Cruz 2, Magat 1, Racal 0.
Quarters: 21-26, 57-47, 87-74, 108-95