Rookie Ravena takes blame in NLEX’s first loss of season

JUST like any other star players, Kiefer Ravena will have his off nights and it hit him during the NLEX Road Warriors’ third game of the PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night, leading to the team’s first loss made possible by the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

Mr. Ravena, the second overall pick in this season’s Draft, owned up to his bad game.

“Phoenix had a good game plan on me. It was my fault. I should have prepared even more like certain situations in today’s game. I have no excuses about the game. I shot so bad from the field. I felt I didn’t help my team enough, especially down the stretch when I missed two free throws,” Mr. Ravena told sportswriters.

It was uncharacteristic on the part of the Gilas standout guard to miss two consecutive free throws at a time when NLEX was putting up a rally.

For Mr. Ravena, those missed free throws were more mental.

“I have mental mistakes (missing two free throws). I thought I was in college,” added Mr. Ravena.

But for head coach Yeng Guiao, things like this one is normal, especially for a rookie. As good as Mr. Ravena is, the six-time PBA champion doesn’t want to put more pressure on his prized recruit, but instead wants the entire team to do a better job next time out.

“I’m not concerned about Kiefer’s off night. He will have off nights. It’s natural, it’s normal for a basketball player, especially as a rookie. I don’t want to put any more pressure on him, by putting those kind of expectations,” said Mr. Guiao.

For Mr. Guiao, NLEX’s first loss was a product of the team’s lack of effort in rebounding and not Mr. Ravena’s alone.

“He missed two free throws, but I guess those things can happen. But what cannot happen is for you to lose second chance points and offensive rebounding by that big gap,” added Mr. Guiao.

“We lost it as a team. Offensive rebounding, that’s not just Kiefer’s responsibility. Almost 50% difference, 19 to 10. Offensive rebounding numbers was not the fault of Kiefer alone. It’s a team thing and we have to take responsibility of that as a team.”

By getting nine more offensive rebounds, Phoenix was able to capitalizes and score 13 points from extra chances. —