NLEX posted its first win without top star Kiefer Ravena in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup by fending off Alaska, 84-74, in the team's first game back Thursday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
JR Quiñahan led the charge by picking up 18 points and four rebounds off the bench, while Kevin Alas added 17 on 6-for-13 shooting, seven boards, three dimes, a steal and a block in 33 minutes.
Jericho Cruz also stepped up with 15 points on 6-for-11 shots to go with four rebounds and two assists for the Road Warriors, who improved to 3-2 with a second consecutive victory as Ravena continues to process his papers in Japan as an incoming import in the B.League.
But the biggest beneficiary by far was Kenneth Ighalo, who took advantage of the clear path minutes brought by Ravena's absence by also putting up 10 of his in the fourth quarter. The 32-year-old guard made 6-of-8 from the field and was responsible for hitting three of NLEX's four team threes in just his first game of the season.
"We have not given him the opportunity previously. But he proved that when given the opportunity, he will deliver," coach Yeng Guiao noted in the post-game presser. "We're very happy. He was crucial. Kevin was the Best Player of the Game, but I think Ken Ighalo is a close second to Kevin."
"Our mentality is we cannot step into the shoes of Kiefer if we're just looking for one or two guys to step into those shoes. We have to do it by committee," Guiao added. "And true enough, Ken Ighalo stepped up. Jericho was also a big factor stepping into the shoes of Kiefer."
The Road Warriors appeared to be in deep trouble after halftime, where they conceded a 13-2 run to Alaska to fall behind by 10, 50-40, early in the third.
NLEX, however, immediately recovered and outscored the Aces 19-5 over the last 7:32 of the quarter to take a 59-55 lead entering the fourth as Quiñahan scored eight of his team's points during that stretch.
Alaska stayed in the hunt behind Mike DiGregorio, who pushed the Aces back ahead 64-62 by scoring nine straight to open the final frame, but it was basically all NLEX from there as Alas took over alongside Ighalo and Cruz.
The former Letran star was composed down the stretch, as he scored or assisted on 10 of the Road Warriors' points in a 14-5 push to help his team take a commanding 80-71 lead with 3:28 to go.
Three free throws from DiGregorio sliced the lead to three in the last 3:16, but NLEX successfully kept the Aces at bay by holding them scoreless from that point on to roll to the victory.
NLEX, who had the league's best offensive rating entering Thursday, only shot 38 percent from the field and hit 4-for-21 3s, but the team did hit 22-of-28 shots from the free throw line.
"I've said this before: Losing Kiefer is like losing your right hand. But we have no choice but to grow another hand or look for a prosthetic," Guiao said. "As much as possible, we want to remedy the loss of Kiefer. We have no choice but to just work harder, play smarter, make the best use of our opportunities that are given to us."
Alaska, on the other hand, fell to 2-4 after a second straight loss even after solid outings from DiGregorio and Maverick Ahanmisi.
Ahanmisi paced the team in scoring with 17 points built on 5-for-8 3s, as well as five boards, two dimes and a steal. DiGregorio, meanwhile, threw in 16 markers and four rebounds as well as two assists in the defeat. No other Alaska player scored in double digits, though.
THE SCORES
NLEX (84) -- Quinahan 18, Alas 17, Ighalo 15, Cruz 15, Oftana 8, Paniamogan 6, Miranda 5, Trollano 0, Ayonayon 0, McAloney 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.
Quarter Scores: 20-19, 38-37, 59-55, 84-74.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
- NLEX had more turnovers (12) than assists (11).
- The Aces only made 32 percent of shots, but they did hit 11 threes on a conference-high 39 attempts. They shot poorly from the line again, though, making just 11-of-21 attempts.
NEXT GAMES
- NLEX vs. Phoenix on Saturday, Sep. 4, at 2:00 p.m.
- Alaska vs. San Miguel on Saturday, Sep. 4, at 4:35 p.m.