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A rise in the fourth quarter propelled the NLEX Road Warriors to the win column at the 2020 PBA Philippines Cup after ditching NorthPort Batang Pier, 102-88, on Wednesday at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena.
After holding on to a just one point lead early in the fourth quarter, the Road Warriors unleashed a game-changing 19-1 streak for their first win after four outings. From a 77-76 lead, NLEX converted key offensive possessions capped by a play-and-1 from Kiefer Ravena to make it 96-78 with four and a half minutes remaining.
Ravena led all scorers with 25 points on 70 percent shooting from the field and hit a perfect 10 of 10 from the line. He also contributed five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Kevin Alas also had a significant game, scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and six dimes. Big man JR Quiñahan scored 17 points in the much-needed victory.
“It’s definitely harder than usual due to the unique circumstances we find ourselves in,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao of how his team persevered despite their 0-3 start. “We were just trying to be positive as much as we can. We felt like we could keep our energy, if we could just encourage each other and be positive, maybe we can still get something out of this tournament. It’s a good thing that we were able to do that.”
NLEX’s bombing in the fourth quarter was notably a welcome sight for Coach Guiao, who was hoping his team had enough firepower late in the game.
“We were able to sustain our energy. Our last three losses were good for two or three quarters, at least for now, we lasted until the fourth quarter,” said the coach. NorthPort, meanwhile, is still winless after four attempts.
Kevin Ferrer lost 18 points while Sean Manganti contributed 16 points. Unfortunately for Batang Pier, Christian Standhardinger struggled little with just seven points. Although he had 13 rebounds and five assists, his team needed his touchdown in the paint.
The PBA went ahead with its scheduled games hours after Commissioner Willie Marcial announced that a referee was found to be a suspected COVID-19 case Wednesday afternoon.
Clark Development Corporation gave the league the green light to continue its games while tighter security measures were implemented. The referee has been transferred to the quarantine area in the Athletes’ Village.
THE SCORES
NLEX 102 – Ravena 25, Quinahan 17, Alas 16, Cruz 10, Miranda 9, Porter 8, Soyud 7, Ayonayon 6, Ighalo 2, McAloney 2, Galanza 0, Semerad 0, Paniamogan 0, Galanza 0
NORTHPORT 88 – Manganti 16, Ferrer 18, Lanete 13, Revilla 8, Elorde 8, Standhardinger 7, Taha 6, Subido 6, Cruz 0, Anthony 0, Nabong 2
Quarters: 20-15, 49-39, 75-68,102-88
EXTRA JARS
NorthPort’s Sean Anthony suffered a strained hamstring in the first half. He was scoreless in just six and a half minutes of action, but he did have two rebounds and three assists.
After scoring just two points in the third quarter in their previous game against Rain or Shine, NorthPort lost 29 points against NLEX.
NEXT GAMES
NLEX vs Meralco Bolts, 4 p.m. on October 23
NorthPort vs Terrafirma Dyip, 4 p.m. on October 24
