Ravena-less NLEX edges Blackwater

MANILA, Philippines — A shorthanded NLEX side pulled the rug on Blackwater to return to the winning column of the PBA’s Commissioner’s Cup, 93-89, Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Road Warriors, reeling from the uncertainty of Kiefer Ravena’s FIBA ban, leaned on import Arnett Moultrie to dig themselves out of a rut in the final five minutes of the game and then on Alex Mallari to turn the tide and pull away for good.

“We got the lucky breaks,” said head coach Yeng Guiao. “It’s a good thing we were able to set aside all the distractions before this game. We felt really bad about the situation of Kiefer (Ravena). Everybody knows he’s a key player in this team.”

“Our focus is now moving forward and moving on without Kiefer in the meantime and just keeping ourselves in the race (for a playoff spot),” Guiao added. "We’re trying to get something out of everybody. Pinipiga na ‘yung ibang di nakakalaro dati.”

True enough, NLEX drew additional production from Juami Tiongson (10 points), Jansen Rios (8 points), Emman Monfort and newly acquired Dave Marcelo (5 points each). 

Blackwater, on the other hand, drew a double-double from returning import Henry Walker with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Mike DiGregorio led the way with 25 while Allein Maliksi and JP Erram contributed 16 and 14, respectively, in the effort that nearly gave them their first win in the Commissioner’s Cup.

The Road Warriors were also missing the services of All-Star guard Kevin Alas who is out for the season due to a torn ACL. But Tiongson, who carried the brunt of playmaking, made the most of his starting opportunity adding 10 assists to his double-figure scoring.

"This win kinda puts a little hope in our quest for at least a chance at the quarterfinals," closed Guiao.

The win improves the Road Warriors’ record to 2-4 in the mid-season joust. They face sister team TNT on Sunday next.

The Elite, for their part, have dropped to 0-7 and are virtually done for the tournament. Blackwater can try to arrest their skid but they would do so against the perennial playoff contenders Magnolia Hotshots on Wednesday next week.

The scores

NLEX 93 – Moultrie 26, Tiongson 10, Mallari 10, Fonacier 9, Rios 8, Monfort 5, Baguio 5, Marcelo 5, Soyud 5, Ighalo 5, Quinahan 3, Miranda 2.

BLACKWATER 89 – DiGregorio 25, Maliksi 16, Erram 14, Walker 12, Cortez 4, Belo 4, Al-Hussaini 4, Sumang 3, Palma 3, Zamar 2, Jose 2, Pinto 0.

Quarters: 26-18; 42-40; 67-71; 93-89.