ROAD WARRIORS HUMARUROT

Mga laro ngayon:

DHVSU Gym, Bacolor, Pampanga

12:30 p.m.- Magnolia vs Blackwater

3 p.m.- Ginebra vs Terrafirma

6 p.m. – TNT vs Meralco

PINATUNAYAN ng NLEX na kaya nilang manalo kahit wala si Kiefer Ravena.

Kumana sina JR Quinahan, Kevin Alas, Jericho Cruz at Kenneth Ighalo ng hindi bababa sa tig-15 points nang pangunahan ang Road Warriors sa 84-74 panalo kontra Alaska Aces sa PBA Philippine Cup kahapon sa Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym sa Bacolor, Pampanga.

Labis na ikinatuwa ni coach Yeng Guiao ang ipinamalas ng kanyang tropa na wala si Ravena, na kasalu-kuyang nasa Japan at inaayos ang kanyang requirements para maglaro bilang import para sa Shiga Lakestars sa Japan B.League.

“We have to do it by committee,” wika ni Guiao, na hindi rin nakasama sina Raul Soyud (sprain) at Anthony Semerad, na kapapanganak lang ng asawa,.

Umangat ang NLEX sa 3-2 kartada habang nahulog ang Alaska sa 2-4.

“Not just one guy could step into those shoes. We have to distribute that responsibility to the rest of the team,” ani Guiao. “I’ve said it before, that losing Kiefer is like losing your right hand. So we have no choice but grow an-other hand or look for a prosthetic.”

Tumapos si Quinahan na may game-high 18 points, habang nagdagdag si Alas ng 17 points at 7 rebounds upang mapiling Best Player of the Game. Nakalikom si Cruz ng 15 points, 4 boards at 4  steals.

Nariyan din si Ighalo. Sumabak sa unang pagkakataon sa conference, ang dating Mapua standout ay tumapos din na may 15 points sa 6-of-8 shooting.

“We have not given him the opportunity to play previously, but he proved in this game that he would deliver if given the chance,” sabi ni Guiao, na ipinaliwanag na ang hindi paggamit kay Ighalo ay dahil sa pre-season arrival ng iba pang players na nagsisiksikan sa small forward position.

“Maraming dumating sa posisyon niya,” ani Guiao. “But when he’s able to step up, like this he really justifies the playing time given him. I think Ighalo is a close Best Player to Kevin dito sa laro na ito.”

Tumipa sina Maverick Ahanmisi ng 17 points at Mike Digregorio ng 16 upang pangunahan ang Alaska.

Sa ikalawang laro ay naungusan ng Phoenix Super LG ang Rain or Shine, 78-77. CLYDE MARIANO

Iskor:

Unang laro:

NLEX (84) – Quinahan 18, Alas 17, Ighalo 15, Cruz 15, Oftana 8, Paniamogan 6, Miranda 5, Trollano 0, Porter 0, Ayonayon 0, Galanza 0.

Alaska (74) – Ahanmisi 17, Digregorio 16, Brondial 8, Herndon 7, Banal 7, Teng 5, Tratter 4, Stockton 4, Casio 4, Ebona 2, Ilagan 0, Adamos 0, Marcelino 0, Publico 0, Taha 0.

QS: 20-29, 38-37, 59-55, 84-74

Ikalawang laro:

Phoenix (78) – Perkins 18, Garcia 18, Banchero 14, Melecio 6, Pascual 5, Jazul 5, Muyang 4, Wright 4, Demusis 3, Manuel 1, Faundo 0, Calisaan 0, Napoles 0, Chua 0, Rios 0.

ROS (77) – Mocon 17, Belga 17, Torres 12, Santillan 8, Wong 6, Johnson 5, Guinto 4, Norwood 3, Asistio 3, Caracut 2, Nambatac 0, Tolentino 0, Ponferada 0, Borboran 0, Yap 0.

QS: 15-24, 35-43, 55-67, 78-77