Despite ban, Kiefer vows to be with NLEX 'every step of the way'

MANILA, Philippines – The NLEX Road Warriors found themselves in a dogfight with the Blackwater Elite in their 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup showdown on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

A 13-0 blitz by the Road Warriors put them on top, 90-86, with 1:26 left to play, but free throws by Allein Maliksi and Mike Digregorio allowed the Elite to make it a one-point game, 89-90, with still 40.5 seconds left.

Ordinarily, this is where Kiefer Ravena will take over for NLEX. Even as a rookie, Ravena has displayed nerves of steel in crunch time and showed an ability to make the right plays and hit the big shots.

Of course, this was no ordinary game. Wednesday's contest marked the first time that NLEX played without its star rookie, following Ravena's suspension by FIBA in the wake of a failed drug test.

"I miss being out there with them, especially in games na ganyan," Ravena said afterward.

.@kieferravena reacts to NLEX’s first game without him @ArangkadaNLEX pic.twitter.com/W4lFuTISSG

— Camille B. Naredo (@camillenaredo) May 30, 2018

But he was delighted to see the Road Warriors hack out a 93-89 triumph. They forced a turnover on Maliksi's drive with under 12 seconds left, and Alex Mallari then broke free for the three-point play that iced the win.

• READ: NLEX starts life without Kiefer with a win

"We won, so happy. Happy that I was able to watch the team play," said Ravena. "Nakaka-miss but I'm happy for them, happy for the team."

"I'm still part of the family, I'm still part of the NLEX Road Warriors, and I may not be out there but I'll be with them every step of the way, just as they are with me every step of the way," he added.

Ravena was full of praise for his teammates, who are now working together to fill in the hole that was left not just by his suspension but by the injury of Kevin Alas as well. Juami Tiongson, in particular, came through with 10 points and 10 assists, and hit the jumper that gave NLEX the lead for good.

"Now, dalawa kami ni Kevin na nawala, so everybody is trying to fill the void of us. And Kevin and I are very integral parts of the offense, and seeing them have 35 assists tonight shows na kaya ng team," said Ravena.

"Everybody's gotta work harder na wala nga kami. Nakakalungkot, kasi ako mismo, nakaabala ako sa mga teammates ko," he acknowledged.

Yet, as he said, he is still part of the NLEX family, and Ravena is determined to help the Road Warriors in any way that he can, even as he is unsure of what he can do given his suspension.

"Individual workouts, then I go to practice every now and then," said Ravena.

"I also want to make my teammates feel na hindi lang ako ang may laban. Sila din meron silang pinagdadaanan, which is the conference. I want them to feel that even though I'm going through this, I'm still part of the team and I can't let go of that responsibility even though I know this is happening," he said.

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