Team defense key in Road Warriors’ series-tying win

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Shifting its defensive focus to the Magnolia squad as a whole was the key in NLEX’s convincing 91-79 Game 4 victory in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals to level the series at two games apiece.

“Last game, we put too much focus on Paul (Lee). But now, our focus was stopping the whole team,” admitted Kevin Alas as the Road Warriors’ defense held the Hotshots to just 36-percent.

Unlike in Game 3 where the Magnolia backcourt easily had its way, NLEX was better equipped to stifle guys like Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, and Jio Jalalon as Alas and Kiefer Ravena rose to the challenge of coach Yeng Guiao.

“Coming into this game, we really had a good team mentality in not just stopping Paul or Ian (Sangalang), but the whole team. And we were able to do that today, that we were able to execute our game plan and translate it to this game,” he said.

.@ArangkadaNLEX’s @kevinlouiealas shares that the team acknowledged the prowess of Magnolia’s guards which led to a better defensive job in this Game 4 win. #PBA2018 pic.twitter.com/FR02XDEVAu

— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) March 16, 2018

The Road Warriors were on the top of their game on the defensive end, which led to frustrating nights for the Hotshots’ playmakers like Lee (11 points on a 3-of-11 shooting) and Jalalon (10 points on a 4-of-11 shooting).

Alas, meanwhile, had a solid output of 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists as he was a perfect compliment to Kiefer Ravena, who had 20 markers, five dimes, and three boards.

The 26-year-old scorer knows how big of a clash Game 5, scheduled on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo will be.

“Of course, who wins that game will be one game away from the Finals. We know the importance of that,” he said. “It’s already a chess match. It’s now just a matter of giving your 100-percent in the games.”