A few moments after missing a dunk off Kelly Nabong, prized NLEX rookie Kiefer Ravena soared again and converted a breakaway jam.
That best demonstrated the persistence and courage Ravena and his NLEX teammates showed in gifting themselves and their fans a Christmas Day victory.
Before a good Christmas Day crowd at the Philippine Arena, the Road Warriors played a balanced game and easily negated Stanley Pringle's huge 33-point explosion as NLEX clobbered GlobalPort, 115-104, for a second straight win in PBA Season 43.
Curiously, the Road Warriors scored only two wins in the previous Philippine Cup.
After a near triple-double job in his PBA debut, Ravena hardly slowed in his second game, top scoring with 20 points and also delivering five assists, four steals and two rebounds as the Road Warriors scored a follow-up on their 119-115 win over the Kia Picanto Wednesday.
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"We just gave ourselves and our supporters a really nice Christmas gift to win on Christmas Day. We carried the momentum of our first win," said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.
"We take a two-week break from here, but we'll keep on practicing through the holidays," added Guiao whose troops will be back in action only on Jan. 7 against the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Guiao acknowledged the big breaks they had in facing GlobalPort minus ace playmaker/scorer Terrence Romeo.
"Just with Stanley Pringle, we had a handful. It's difficult to device a way of defending Pringle. What more kung nandyan pa si Terrence," said Guiao.
"We take advantage of the breaks that we have. And it gives us time to jell and build chemistry. Kiefer (Ravena) knows how to take care of himself. But these are good opportunities for the other rookies," Guiao added.
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JR Quinahan came through with 19 points, Larry Fonacier and Juami Tiongson had their own double-digit productions while Kevin Alas, Michael Miranda, Cyrus Baguio and Alfonso Gotladera added at least eight points each in a fine display of NLEX's newfound balanced scoring.
Though they figured in 17 lead changes and eight deadlocks, the Road Warriors were clearly the dominant team as they enjoyed the lead majority of the way.
They led by 15 at 115-100 on Ravena's breakaway jam before they went home with the win.
Pringle scattered 33 points on 11-of-21 field shooting and 7-of-9 triples but sorely lacked help from his teammates.
The Road Warriors enjoyed a 59-42 advantage on bench production.
The scores:
NLEX 115 - Ravena 20, Quinahan 19, Fonacier 12, Tiongson 10, Alas 9, Baguio 8, Gotladera 8, Miranda 8, Mallari 6, Monfort 5, Rios 5, Taulava 3, Al-Hussaini 2.
GLOBALPORT 104 - Pringle 33, Anthony 19, Grey 13, NAbong 9, Arana 8, Elorde 5, Guinto 4, Taha 4, Juico 4, Sargent 2, Flores 2, Gabayni 1.
Quarters: 25-25, 50-45, 84-76, 115-104.
