Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Not even a flu could stop Kiefer Ravena from helping NLEX in its all-important Game 4 against Magnolia on Friday in their 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals tiff.
Fighting through his sickness, the super rookie exploded for nine of his team’s last 11 points to help the Road Warriors claim the 91-79 win against the Hotshots and tie the best-of-seven series to two games apiece.
But for Ravena, his late-game spurt was nothing special.
“We already placed ourselves in a good position, that we have a big lead coming into the fourth quarter. That lead really was something that I didn’t want to let go because we know how tough of an opponent Magnolia is,” he said.
The Road Warriors was holding on to 80-65 advantage in the final five minutes before Ravena caught fire in the end game and delivered the 12-point lead.
“During those last five minutes, I just didn’t want to let my team down cause we worked so hard to build that lead,” said the former Ateneo playmaker, who finished the game with 20 points on an 8-of-14 shooting from the field, to go with five assists and three rebounds.
.@ArangkadaNLEX’s @kieferravena just wanted to preserve his team’s lead when he went berserk in the final five minutes of Game 4. #PBA2018 pic.twitter.com/kKVLLTScz0
— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) March 16, 2018
Ravena looked at that fourth quarter as NLEX’s chance to test its resolve which would be valuable for the squad in the long run as the series turns to a virtual best-of-three.
“When they take the lead, they really protect that advantage. And for us to get better, we have to learn how to take care of leads,” he said. “It can’t be that we’ll just get a big lead and eventually falter in the end. If you can build a cushion and make the game better for your team in the end game, you must know how to finish it.”
As the Road Warriors passed that test with flying colors, Ravena is hoping to see his team sustain the effort when they shoot for the lead in Game 5 on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“Hopefully, we carry this momentum,” he said. “The series is tied, it’s a best-of-three and take this one, enjoy and savor it for a bit, go back to the drawing board, a few hours wakeup and practice, because we know that Magnolia will make those adjustments. So hopefully, we’d take care of business on our side.”