Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
NLEX super rookie Kiefer Ravena was man enough to tip his hat to Magnolia, especially with its defensive adjustments in Game 2 on Monday.
“We have to give credit also to the defense,” Ravena said in the Road Warriors’ 84-99 defeat to the Hotshots in Game 2.
Ravena dealt with the pesky defense of Jio Jalalon and was limited to nine points, seven assists, and three rebounds against five turnovers in 21 minutes of action.
“The familiarity of him being since college, that’s one of our perks playing alongside each other with Gilas. The battles we played internationally and the practices we’ve had together, you will always learn something when it comes to the tendencies of one person,” he said. “With Jio, maybe he really took the job to defend me because he knows me too well.”
READ: Jalalon anchors Magnolia defense against Ravena
Ravena vowed to bounce back from this forgettable performance as he promised to be better equipped to handle the Magnolia defense for the all-important Game 3.
“I’ll be ready. I’ll be more ready on Wednesday. I can’t be playing like this, especially on a series where we know how important every game is in the semifinals,” he said.
Also adding to his confidence is the presence of coach Yeng Guiao in crucial situations.
“The numerous seven-game series that he’s won and lost, he knows how to control the minutes of his players. In this game, we just didn’t find any solution to Paul (Lee), and that’s tough that he shot 50 percent from the field the whole game,” he said.
“We have to step it up. We’ll learn from this, rest, forget about this, and be ready on Wednesday.”
.@ArangkadaNLEX’s @kieferravena talks about the team’s mindset after this Game 2 loss. #PBA2018 pic.twitter.com/GHGouGqSDo
— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) March 12, 2018