By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE NLEX Road Warriors and Meralco Bolts, winners in their opening games in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup, seek to stay in winning form and notch early tournament lead when they collide today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Both teams are coming off victories last Sept. 21 with the Road Warriors beating the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters, 123-116, and the Bolts topping the Magnolia Hotshots Ang Pambansang Manok, 98-92.
A win today in their 4:30 p.m. contest will give the teams a 2-0 record, solo on top off the gates of the season-ending PBA tournament.
Also playing today are the Northport Batang Pier (1-0) and Magnolia (0-1) at 7:00 in the evening.
In its first game, NLEX, which finished dead-last in the previous conference, was steady, helped by comebacking guard Kiefer Ravena.
Out of commission for a good 18 months as he served the suspension imposed on him by FIBA for testing positive for a prohibited substance during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers which was blamed on a pre-workout drink he took, Mr. Ravena made an auspicious return in the PBA last time around.
The explosive guard from Ateneo de Manila University tallied all-around numbers of 20 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals in helping NLEX to a winning start.
In said game, the Road Warriors had a battle with the Fuel Masters but a telling run in the third quarter where they outscored the latter, 42-29, gave them the leverage that they needed to position themselves for the win.
Import Ola Ashaolu led the way for NLEX with 29 points, 11 rebounds and six assists with Philip Paniamogan adding 14 points of his own.
Veteran Larry Fonacier and Paul Varilla had 11 each while JR Quiñahan had 10.
Unfortunately for NLEX it lost JP Erram early in the match after he suffered a collateral ligament sprain on his left arm after getting tangled with Phoenix big man Dave Marcelo.
He is expected to miss action for at least two weeks.
MERALCO
Meralco, for its part, relied on a stronger effort in the second half to get the better of Magnolia in its opening game.
Chris Newsome had a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds and the ever steady import Allen Durham had 21 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and four blocks to lead the Bolts to victory.
Also coming up big for the Bolts was Raymond Almazan, who had 19 points and 13 boards.
Meralco trailed Magnolia, 57-48, at halftime before it turned things around in the second fold, outgunning the Hotshots, 50-35, en route to the victory over the defending champions.
“It’s a good start to the conference for us; a very, very satisfying win because we were up against the defending champions,” said Meralco coach Norman Black after their win.
The Bolts have had good success in the Governors’ Cup, making it to the finals two times in the previous three seasons.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Pulse received a bit of good news this week after the Commissioner’s Office granted the request of currently suspended player Calvin Abueva to join the team’s practices.
Banned from any PBA activity for three months now for a number of on and off-court infractions and controversies, including his clothesline on TNT import Terrence Jones in the Commissioner’s Cup, Mr. Abueva asked league commissioner Willie Marcial on Monday to allow him to join Phoenix’s practices to stay in shape, which the PBA head granted.
His return to action though is still uncertain, dependent on whether he has fulfilled the league’s requirements for reinstatement.
Just the same, Phoenix coach Louie Alas expressed joy over the development.
“This is super good news for us. At least now there is some clarity. This is a good development and hopefully the suspension gets lifted soon,” said Mr. Alas, whose team is currently sporting a 0-2 record.
