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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Saturday, March 17, 2018
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Levels PBA PH Cup semis at 2-2
MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors pulled away from a close first half to score a 91-79 win over Magnolia Hotshots in Game 4 of the 2017-2018 PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Rookie Kiefer Ravena led the way with 20 points. JR Quinahan chipped in 14 markers while Kevin Alas and Larry Fonacier had 13 and 10 points, respectively.
With the victory, the Road Warriors tied the semifinals series at 2-2.
“We made the adjustment after losing Games 2 and 3. Nagtutulungan din kami as a team,” said the Ilonggo Ravena. “We enjoy this win for now but we will go back to the drawing board for Game 5.”
From a tight battle in the opening half, the Road Warriors started its move in the third period with conversions from Quinahan for a 55-39 lead. The Hotshots clawed to within 51-58 but back-to-back hits by Alas increased the lead to 69-59.
The Hotshots threatened once again early in the fourth period but back-to-back treys from Alex Mallari and Fonacier gave the Road Warriors its largest lead of the match at 96-73 on a fallaway basket from Ravena.
“Like what I said after Game 3, pahahabain namin ang series,” said Road Warriors head coach Yeng Guiao. “We just fought harder (in Game 4) kasi sabi ko nga make or break sa amin ito dahil mahirap malubog sa 1-3.”
Ian Sangalang led the way with double-double 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Paul Lee and Mark Andy Barroca contributed 11 markers apiece for the Hotshots, which was without injured center Jean Marc Pingris.
Meanwhile, three-time defending champions San Miguel Beermen will aim for the first finals seat when it battles Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in Game 5 tonight at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. Beermen leads the series 3-1.
BOX SCORE
NLEX 91 – Ravena 20, Quinahan 14, Alas 13, Fonacier 10, Soyud 9, Baguio 9, Rios 5, Tiongson 5, Mallari 4, Al-Hussaini 2, Miranda 0, Taulava 0.
MAGNOLIA 79 – Sangalang 15, Lee 11, Barroca 11, Jalalon 10, Dela Rosa 9, Ramos 9, Simon 6, Reavis 4, Gamalinda 2, Pascual 2, Brondial 0, Herndon 0, Melton 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 25-20, 41-39, 69-59, 91-79./PN
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