Kiefer Ravena played an impressive first game for the NLEX Road Warriors Wednesday night, dropping 18 points and dishing out 12 assists in a win against Kia Picanto. In the second game, Jeron Teng showed why he deserved to be a first-round pick by chipping in 16 points in a loss to Magnolia.
Did any of you even watch the games last night?
JEFF: Nope, what games? Ah, PBA!
ENZO: I watched the Alaska game!
NLEX vs KIA was exciting and went down the wire. Next Manila Clasico? Yes, no, stupid question?
ENZO: I guess you could say that it can make for an interesting, albeit unconventional rivalry. Wink wink.
JEFF: Gandang rivalry. Team with Stars vs. Role Players! Sayang, Kia could’ve gotten Kiefer pala noh? Wink wink wink wink wink wink. (Sorry, napuwing.)
Speaking of Kiefer, he and fellow superstar rookie Jeron Teng played in their respective first games last night. Who had the better debut?
ENZO: Kief, for sure. A double-double and a win. I love that these two are continuing their rivalry in the PBA.
JEFF: I actually saw the highlights of Kiefer’s game. I think he could’ve turned pro two years ago, but great decision to wait and get international experience. Hasang-hasa na.
Sum up Kiefer’s debut in one word.
JEFF: Legit.
ENZO: Expected.
Sum up Jeron’s debut in one word.
ENZO: Assertive.
JEFF: Pogi.
Who’s a better fit for his team?
ENZO: They are both great fits for their respective teams and Kief obviously brings so much to the table for NLEX, but Jeron just blends in perfectly for Alaska. They lost Dondon Hontiveros and Tony dela Cruz to retirement, and he is a great replacement.
JEFF: Better debut for Kiefer, but I think Jeron is in the perfect situation with Alaska to develop his game further. He’s gonna be in a system that doesn’t focus on one player. Plus, he gets to play with and learn from Calvin Abueva. Jeron is in an ideal situation now to develop some aspects of his game that he had no chance to focus on before because he was so busy being THE guy in La Salle.
PBA Kiefer and PBA Jeron will meet for the first time on February 11, 2018. Any fearless forecasts?
JEFF: Kief will put up similar numbers from his first game, but Alaska will win. And Abueva will get at least one tech.
ENZO: I fearlessly predict that Coach Yeng Guiao and Coach Alex Compton will recognize the moment and pit the two against each other. The Ateneo and La Salle communities will arrive in droves to throw their support behind their former captains and the PBA will see an influx of new fans. (Not really.)
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