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PBA: No excuses for Kiefer after struggling against Phoenix

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/01/07/ravena-pba-010718.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>NLEX&#x27;s Kiefer Ravena is double-teamed by Phoenix&#x27;s Justin Chua and Jeff Chan. PBA Media Bureau</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – After a pair of splendid performances, NLEX rookie Kiefer Ravena found himself struggling for the first time in his young PBA career.The second overall pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft had been the toast of the league after averaging 19 points, 8.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and two steals in his first two contests, both of which were victories for the Road Warriors.Against Phoenix on Sunday, however, Ravena groped for form as he was shackled by the Fuel Masters&#x27; trapping defense. He made only four of 13 shot attempts for eight points, missed all three triples that he took, and bricked two free throws with 2:31 to go as the Road Warriors were attempting to make a comeback.He did have seven assists, but was a team-worst minus-26 in the game as Phoenix defeated NLEX, 102-95. It was the Road Warriors&#x27; first loss of the 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup.&quot;Phoenix had a game plan for me, and they really executed,&quot; said Ravena after the game. &quot;It was my fault. I have to prepare even more in certain situations like this game.&quot;&quot;I have no excuses about the game, I shot very bad from the field, and I felt like I didn&#x27;t help my team enough especially down the stretch where I missed two straight free throws,&quot; he added.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2018/01/07/fuel-masters-shoot-nlex-start-2018-35745">READ: Fuel Masters shoot down NLEX to start 2018 action in the PBA</a></li></ul>Ravena gave full credit to Phoenix for defending him very well, as the Fuel Masters forced him to give up the ball and swarmed him whenever he got to the rim. However, he was also quite frustrated that he did not adjust to their defense: Ravena noted that Phoenix played him exactly the same way as they did in the preseason, when they met in a tune-up game.&quot;Ganoon din &#x27;yung pinakita nila noong preseason, noong nakalaban namin sila. Ganyang-ganyan din,&quot; said Ravena.&quot;So &#x27;yun nga, siguro pinakita na nila &#x27;yun, and it&#x27;s my fault that I wasn&#x27;t able to adjust and prepare myself well enough,&quot; he added.Ravena&#x27;s struggles were in full display in the fourth quarter. He missed two free throws that could have cut the lead to six points with 2:31 left, then badly misfired on a three-pointer with 1:25 to go. He was able to get all the way to the hoop inside the final minute, but bricked a lay-up as the Phoenix defense converged on him.At the end of the game, he seemed most upset at missing the two charities, especially as teammate Juami Tiongson also bricked a pair of freebies earlier in the fourth quarter.&quot;If Juami and I made those free throws, it could have been different. Personally, my bad on missing the free throws,&quot; he said.Nevertheless, Ravena said he cannot dwell too much on the setback as NLEX has a tough schedule ahead of them. They play Magnolia next Sunday, before challenging defending champion San Miiguel on January 19.&quot;That&#x27;s the beauty of the sports world. It&#x27;s one of the things in the world that allows you to bounce back right away,&quot; he noted. &quot;Somethings in life, hindi ka na nila nabibigyan ng chance bumawi.&quot;&quot;Pero dito sa sports, you know, one game after another, it&#x27;s a long season. We have to pick it up, we have to wake up for this loss and prepare for Magnolia,&quot; Ravena said.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)

After a pair of splendid performances, NLEX rookie Kiefer Ravena found himself struggling for the first time in his young PBA career.

After a pair of splendid performances, NLEX rookie Kiefer Ravena found himself struggling for the first time in his young PBA career.

PBA: No excuses for Kiefer after struggling against Phoenix

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PBA: No excuses for Kiefer after struggling against Phoenix

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 07, 2018 08:29 PM PHT

Read More:

PBA

NLEX Road Warriors

Kiefer Ravena

Phoenix Fuel Masters

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