Kiefer braces for Ross, Cabagnot as NLEX challenges SMB
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Kiefer braces for Ross, Cabagnot as NLEX challenges SMB
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 19, 2018 06:37 AM PHT

MANILA, Philippines – Barely a week after going toe-to-toe with one of the best guards in the league, NLEX rookie Kiefer Ravena will be tested once more as he tries to help the Road Warriors pull off an upset against San Miguel Beer.
MANILA, Philippines – Barely a week after going toe-to-toe with one of the best guards in the league, NLEX rookie Kiefer Ravena will be tested once more as he tries to help the Road Warriors pull off an upset against San Miguel Beer.
Ravena went shot-for-shot with Magnolia's Paul Lee last Sunday, eventually outscoring the former Rookie of the Year, 31 to 21. Yet it was Lee's Hotshots that won the game, 105-94, handing NLEX its second consecutive loss of the PBA Philippine Cup.
Ravena went shot-for-shot with Magnolia's Paul Lee last Sunday, eventually outscoring the former Rookie of the Year, 31 to 21. Yet it was Lee's Hotshots that won the game, 105-94, handing NLEX its second consecutive loss of the PBA Philippine Cup.
On Friday, Ravena will be tested once more by the celebrated backcourt of San Miguel Beer. There, he will be facing not one, but two of the premier guards in the PBA in Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot.
On Friday, Ravena will be tested once more by the celebrated backcourt of San Miguel Beer. There, he will be facing not one, but two of the premier guards in the PBA in Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot.
"Hindi naman masyadong mahirap 'yun," Ravena said in jest after his career-best performance against Magnolia.
"Hindi naman masyadong mahirap 'yun," Ravena said in jest after his career-best performance against Magnolia.
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"Chris, first team all-defensive. Alex, one of the best pick-and-roll guards in the league," he noted. "With San Miguel, we just have to prepare."
"Chris, first team all-defensive. Alex, one of the best pick-and-roll guards in the league," he noted. "With San Miguel, we just have to prepare."
Ravena is aware that when it comes to playing San Miguel, other PBA teams are forced to "pick your poison," knowing that all five of their starters are capable of taking over a game at any given moment.
Ravena is aware that when it comes to playing San Miguel, other PBA teams are forced to "pick your poison," knowing that all five of their starters are capable of taking over a game at any given moment.
"They have five poisonous guys on the floor every single time," the No. 2 pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft said.
"They have five poisonous guys on the floor every single time," the No. 2 pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft said.
"You have to live with that and find a way to win," he added.
"You have to live with that and find a way to win," he added.
Ravena, who is averaging 19.25 points and 7.25 assists through their first four games, knows that NLEX has work to do if they hope to pull off a massive upset.
Ravena, who is averaging 19.25 points and 7.25 assists through their first four games, knows that NLEX has work to do if they hope to pull off a massive upset.
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The Road Warriors have yet to win a game in 2018, and are mired in the middle of the league standings. Head coach Yeng Guiao is concerned at how they are getting beat up on the boards, and how they fall apart late in the shot-clock.
The Road Warriors have yet to win a game in 2018, and are mired in the middle of the league standings. Head coach Yeng Guiao is concerned at how they are getting beat up on the boards, and how they fall apart late in the shot-clock.
For Ravena, it is crucial for them to learn lessons from the loss to Magnolia.
For Ravena, it is crucial for them to learn lessons from the loss to Magnolia.
"We have to want it kasi," he said. "We have to see what we did in the first two games (of the conference), and find it deep in ourselves to execute, and do the same things to help us win on Friday."
"We have to want it kasi," he said. "We have to see what we did in the first two games (of the conference), and find it deep in ourselves to execute, and do the same things to help us win on Friday."
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