The Philippine Basketball Association has yet to restart its season, but the NLEX Road Warriors already made plans for their future.
On the first day of September, the Road Warriors made sure they will be able to secure their future plans on two of their most talented players—guards Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas. The two second generation players were given a three-year contract extension each by NLEX management, although terms of the deal were not revealed.
Ravena, son of former PBA Rookie of the Year and ex-Most Improved Player awardee Bong Ravena, had just returned and played briefly for the Road Warriors last season following an 18-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.
But the Road Warriors are giving him a chance to redeem himself and wanting him to be a part of the team’s future.
Alas, son of current Phoenix Fuel Masters coach Louie Alas, also missed a lot of games for the Road Warriors last season due to an ACL injury. Like Ravena, he also returned briefly, but the team was knocked out by the NorthPort Batang Pier in last season’s Governors’ Cup.
Now, the Road Warriors are going all in with these two superstars and the first order of business was to re-sign them even with the shortened PBA season still hanging in the balance.
Signing up Ravena and Alas, two of the team’s young players, would serve as an insurance for the Road Warriors, who are bound to lose two veteran cagers by the end of the season. Asi Taulava and Cyrus Baguio, two tried and tested veterans of head coach Yeng Guiao, are expected to be given a fitting exit by the squad and the Philippine Cup will serve as their final tour of duty.
Taulava is the oldest player in the PBA at 47 years old and the former MVP plans to end the season with a bang.
Baguio, on the other hand, just turned 40 last August 19. The three-time PBA champion, who won his first championship playing for Guiao 14 years ago, looks to finish his career as a champion from the same mentor who molded him.
The biggest news, however, is the re-signing of Ravena and Alas, and NLEX made sure they won’t go anywhere. The tandem could become probably the best guard combo we’re going to see in years, but unless the Road Warriors start winning a championship in the big league, this projection could only end up as it is — a mere projection.
But NLEX is patient enough to build its future and the strong foundation of its future lies on the duo of Ravena and Alas. After all, both of them were part of the NLEX Road Warriors’ team, which established a dynasty in the amateur commercial league.
The question is, can they continue living up to that winning tradition?
Only time will tell, but for now, the Road Warriors made the logical first step by ensuring the services of these two talented guards, who have the potential of becoming much better ball players than their fathers.