Moving forward

Out of the running and with nothing left to play for in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the NLEX Road Warriors spent the day getting two key players prepped for the  next conference—one during practice and one during an actual game.

And both players left coach Yeng Guiao pleased.

Olu Ashaolu came up with a huge double-double to lead NLEX to a 100-97 victory against Rain or Shine in the Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum and spent some time after the game sharing his excitement about the return of Kiefer Ravena.

“I’ve been hearing about him since last year and I met him one time in Macau,” said Ashaolu, who had 26 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists against the Elasto Painters. “After I practiced with him in his first day back, I can already see how good of a player he is. I’m excited to play with a guy like him.”

Ashaolu first met Ravena last year in Macau when the Road Warriors participated in the Asia League: Summer Super 8 back in July.

Guiao was also pleased with Ravena’s instant impact in his first practice with the team.

“Our practice became intense because that’s what Kiefer brings,” Guiao said. “He’s very intense in the practices and it rubs off to the rest of his teammates.”

And if Friday’s victory, which preceded Phoenix Pulse’s 111-103 upset of defending champion Barangay Ginebra, was any indication, the Road Warriors could be in for some success in the Governors’ Cup.

The 6-foot-5 Ashaolu looks sharp this early for the season-ender.

“Well I had some doubts on Olu’s condition before the game because he arrived three days ago but he looked good in practice and we just ran a couple of plays for him,” Guiao said.

And everyone on the team is just eager to have Kiefer back.

“Kiefer is a stabilizer,” center Poy Erram said. “We won’t have a disadvantage at the point guard position because Kiefer can do a lot of things.”