Like Mike: Ravena plays through flu in series-tying NLEX win over Magnolia

MANILA, Philippines — Seventeen games into his young Philippine Basketball Association career, Kiefer Ravena already had his Michael Jordan moment.

The NLEX Road Warriors rookie took it upon himself to preserve the team’s lead just  when the Magnolia Hotshots were trying to pull within striking range in Game Four of the PBA semifinals on Friday night.

READ: Ravena waxes hot in 4th as Road Warriors level series vs Hotshots

Ravena’s scoring performance, adorned with five assists, three rebounds and a steal — all came on a day when he’s also battling flu.

“Ganito pala dito,” he said noting the PBA’s grueling every-other-day schedule. The second overall pick also shared with the press that he had been under the weather earlier in the morning.

But it’s all business to the second-overall pick. After all, they’re playing Magnolia, a team that notoriously makes mincemeat of opposing teams.

“That lead really was something na ayaw kong pakawalan kasi ang hirap kalaban ng Magnolia eh,” he explained. “Pag lumalamang sila, grabe sila mag alaga ng lamang.”

“And for us to get better, we have to learn how to take care of leads. Hindi puwede na lalamang ka ng malaki, bibigay ka tapos ilalaban mo uli sa dulo,” Ravena offered. 

“Kung kaya mong maglagay ng cushion or gawing mas madali ‘yung game sa endgame, gagawin naman namin,” he added.

NLEX, despite being newcomers at the semis level, did just that. Neck-and-neck with Magnolia in the first three quarters, the leaned on JR Quiñahan and Larry Fonacier for a spurt. When the game entered the final frame, they have already built a 10-point cushion.

“Larry hit a big 3-pointer, Alex hit another. Kevin (Alas) — he was being his old self na talagang nageenjoy, really making good decisions on the pick and roll,” Ravena pointed out. “[Natutulungan] kami nun kung lahat kami nagi-step up. Nagco-complement lahat ‘yon kasi nadadalian yung shooters tumira.

“Hopefully we carry this momentum,” the youngster added. “The series is tied, it’s [now] a best-of-three. Hopefully, we could take care of business sa side namin.”

Ravena will get to know if his team can indeed take care of business when the shoot for a series lead in Antipolo this Sunday.