NLEX only needed one win to make it to the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals. But it blew its chance.
The Road Warriors headed into the quarterfinals with the coveted twice-to-beat advantage after clinching the top seed at the end of the eliminations, only for the NorthPort Batang Pier to come in their way and wield the upset ax.
The young franchise showed that anything can happen in basketball when it overcame the disadvantage to oust NLEX to become just the fourth number eight team in league history to take down the top dogs in the quarters.
The Batang Pier completed the massive upset Wednesday night through a thrilling and grueling 126-123 triple-overtime victory, leaving the Road Warriors filled with regret as they headed out of the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Sayang kasi one win away. We worked hard for the twice-to-beat advantage,” lamented Kiefer Ravena, who had 22 points, six assists, and five rebounds in the 50 minutes and 23 seconds he played in the stinging defeat.
Many expected the Road Warriors to redeem themselves — and snap their skid which began at the tailend of the eliminations — following the 90-115 loss they suffered last Monday in their first meeting with the Batang Pier.
However, they got themselves a tough blow just a day prior to the do-or-die when Poy Erram and Paul Varilla got suspended and were slapped hefty fines each for fighting Batang Pier import Michael Qualls last Monday.
“Poy and Paul could’ve been another element in our offense and defense, added bodies to the team,” opined Ravena.
Filling in for the absence of the 6-foot-7 Erram, though, was Asi Taulava, who at 46 years old still tried to give it his best for his team as he played for 20 minutes and 19 seconds and contributed six markers and nine rebounds.
“Asi played like he was twenty-four. I’m proud of that dude. He works hard every day, comes into practice 5:30 in the morning and delivers when it’s needed the most. Sayang lang kasi we wanted to win with the effort that he gave us,” said Ravena.
Taulava witnessed history repeat itself with the loss as it evoked memories of the 1999 All-Filipino Cup quarters, where his top-seeded Mobiline blew its win-once incentive and lost to Ginebra, 82-81, via Bal David’s game-winner.
For Ravena, he believes that this will only help the Road Warriors for the better, and they could even learn a lot more with Taulava — one of the most dominant big men to ever play in the league — around thanks to his wealth of experience.
“Yun naman yung isa sa mga role ni Asi ngayon sa’min e. More than anything else is to really implement the leadership. He’s been here for forty-five years in the PBA so marami na talaga siyang pinagdaanan,” Ravena said jokingly.
“Sobrang daming laro, sobrang daming mga ganitong laban, but I feel na marami talaga kaming matutunan kay Asi. He’s probably one of the most dominant players to ever play in the PBA and he has won a championship,” he added.
“Imagine all the heartbreaks na pinagdaanan niya to be one of the most dominant players ever but to only have one championship under your belt I’m sure he wants more. But all the lessons that he’s trying to teach us — even yung mga beterano marami pa ring natutunan sa kanya — it helps us a lot.”
tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/like-early-part-taulavas-career-kiefer-ravena-knows-nlex-go-growing-pains/171762
