NLEX coach Yeng Guiao is hoping that the absence of Kiefer Ravena will open the opportunity for his other players to step up once the PBA Philippine Cup resumes in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Guiao hinted that Ravena could miss the remainder the Philippine Cup eliminations after he left for Japan to process some requirements needed for his B.League stint with the Shiga Lakestars.
And unless the Road Warriors make a deep playoff run, Guiao said, NLEX may have seen the last of Ravena for the season-opening conference.
“He will undergo 14 days quarantine in Japan and when he comes back to the Philippines, he will spend another 10 days in quarantine, so that’s more than three weeks,” Guiao said as quoted by the team’s official site ArangkadaNLEX.com.
“Probably the only way we can have him back to play for us is during the semis, if we make it that far,” added Guiao.
Ravena’s four-game averages of 15.8 points on 40-percent shooting with 3.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.8 steals this conference will be a huge loss for the Road Warriors, who at 2-2 need to play their best basketball in order to make the playoffs.
But NLEX has been getting good numbers from Kevin Alas, who is the team’s top scorer with 18.5 points and ranked third overall.
Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano and rookie Calvin Oftana could also benefit from Ravena’s absence.
“It’s a big shoe to fill,” said Guiao. “But there’s no need to bring somebody up from the reserve list as we anticipate Kiefer’s return. It will be an opportunity for the other players to step up, players like Don, Jericho and even Calvin Oftana while Kiefer is not playing.”