NLEX knew everybody had to step up in the absence of star guard Kiefer Ravena.
Kenneth Ighalo made sure he was included in the mix, helping the Road Warriors overcome the Alaska Aces 84-74 yesterday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
As expected, JR Quinahan, Kevin Alas and Jericho Cruz took the lead roles for NLEX with at least 15 points each, but Ighalo rose to the occasion and proved to be the X-factor in the Road Warriors’ second straight win that jacked their record to 3-2 overall.
Seeing action for the first time in the conference, the former Mapua standout also finished with 15 points on a very efficient 6-of-8 shooting, in the process helping NLEX unleash a sustained surge from a 64-66 hole and into the lead for good.
“We have not given him the opportunity to play previously, but he proved in this game that he would deliver if given the chance,” noted NLEX coach Yeng Guiao, adding the non-utilization of Ighalo stems from the pre-season arrival of other players who crowded him for the small forward position.
“Maraming dumating sa posisyon niya,” said 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 (Alas) dito sa laro na ito.”
Phoenix Super LPG joined Terrafirma and Meralco in the list of comeback teams by fighting its way back from a 17-point third quarter deficit before nipping Rain or Shine 78-77 and improving to 2-4.
RR Garcia led the furious Fuel Masters uprising before Matthew Wright, who missed his first 14 shots from the field, converted on a fallaway shot that gave them a 78-76 lead, 2.6 ticks left.
The Elasto Painters’ hopes of at least forging overtime and from there snaring their fifth win in seven games vanished when Beau Belga could only manage a charity split, with his last miss hauled down by Jake Pascual who clung on to the ball as time expired.
Understandably, Guiao was immensely pleased with the way all his players performed without Ravena, currently in Japan working on his papers to play as an import in the B-League.
Aside from Ravena, NLEX also missed Anthony Semerad who requested time off to be with his wife, actress Sam Pinto, who has just given birth to their child. Starting center Raul Soyud also sat out the game due to a sprain.
“We have to do it by committee. Not just one guy could step into those shoes. We have to distribute that responsibility to the rest of the team,” said Guiao.
“I’ve said it before, that losing Kiefer is like losing your right hand,” added Guiao. “So we have no choice but grow another hand or look for a prosthetic.”
Quinahan rose to the occasion, coming off the bench to lead all scorers with 18 points. Alas had 17 points on top of seven rebounds while Cruz chipped in 15 points, the last six inside the final four minutes that helped dispel Alaska’s last threat for good.
