NLEX Road Warriors star guards Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas signed lucrative three-year contracts Tuesday at the NLEX office in Balintawak, a fresh and – in the words of NLEX coach Yeng Guiao – “new chapter” for the franchise.
“We look at this as a new chapter in our quest for a championship,” said Guaio Tuesday in an interview with Manila Bulletin.
“Their deal also means that they’ll be playing side by side for a long period of time… at least for the next three years.”
Alas' contract expired last August 31, while Ravena’s deal is due to end September 30.
However, the two were signed together on separate three-year maximum deals worth P15.12 million each in the presence of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) president and chief executive Officer and NLEX governor Rod Franco, and NLEX president and GM Luigi Bautista.
Although they play similar positions as combo guards, Guiao was able to combine Ravena and Alas as a potent backcourt tandem that helped NLEX reach the semifinals of the 2017-18 Philippine Cup.
But a knee injury to Alas and a FIBA-sanctioned suspension on Ravena halted NLEX’s progress in the following conferences and seasons.
Guiao said the renewal of Alas and Ravena is a testament to the team’s serious bid not just for a playoff spot but for a number of PBA championships.
“Signing the two, Kiefer and Kevin, is an indication that we want to form the strongest team possible that is capable of challenging the usual contenders for a championship,” said Guiao.
“The two form the core of our guard rotation, they’re also young. Both are healthy and focused – Kiefer after that long FIBA suspension and Kevin after two injuries on his knee.
“This is the time that their patience had paid off.”
Aside from Guiao, Franco and Bautista, also present at the contract,-igning are MPTC CFO and NLEX alternate governor Chris Lizo, NLEX COO Raul Ignacio, MPTC South president Bobby Bontia and NLEX representative Ronald Dulatre.