Struggling to prepare sans import, NLEX locals working double time

Kiefer Ravena. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Kiefer Ravena admits that NLEX is having a hard preparing for the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup without its import.

“In an import-laden conference and you don’t have an import yet, of course, it’s a cause of concern and something to be worried about. At this moment, we’re the only team that doesn’t have an import and is playing tuneup games already,” he said.

First-choice import Arnett Moultrie’s arrival was continuously delayed by his team in Bahrain, forcing the hand of the Road Warriors to enlist a replacement in Adrian Forbes.

Forbes is set to arrive on Saturday, a day before the second conference begins.

Luckily for NLEX, its first game is still scheduled next Saturday against Columbian Dyip, giving it ample time to blend in the new reinforcement.

Though without an import, Ravena knows that it’s the locals’ job to step up as they try to keep things afloat for the Road Warriors in the team’s buildup.

“Time is not on our side. We have to double up the work, increase our workload and our team practices should be a little more intensified and on a higher level,” he said.

“At this moment, we’re catching up with everybody, so the locals have to step up and be ready just to be sure so that when the import arrives, we’ll already be fine.”