Coach Yeng Guiao labeled as "a ridiculous luck" his NLEX team keeping a perfect run versus Alaska Milk.
Luck or whatever, a sixth straight win over the Aces in the last four conferences sent the Road Warriors to a first-ever PBA semi-final in franchise history.
NLEX's young crew held their own against Alaska Milk's veteran core players in the crunch, squeezing out an 87-83 win to gain the right to play second seed Magnolia Pambansang Manok in the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semis.
Game One of the Road Warriors-Hotshots matchup is Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas took turns in leading the charge early on then the unheralded Michael Miranda sneaked in with critical shots down the stretch as the Road Warriors completed a two-game sweep of the Aces in their best-of-three quarterfinals.
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"I was concerned really and wondering up to when our luck would hold up against Alaska. It's our sixth straight against them. Our luck held up," said Guiao.
"Alaska really gave us a hard time. I never thought we could sweep them in this series and make it six in a row against them. That a ridiculous luck for us," Guiao added.
The NLEX chieftain, nonetheless, credited his players for their triumphant effort against a tough, tough rival.
"The team really deserves the credit. They really wanted this. They're hungry to make the semifinals and make our fans, supporters and management happy. That really motivated us," Guiao said.
Alas top scored with 18 points, JR Quinahan contributed 16 markers and Ravena dished out his usual all-around game with 11 points, seven assists, two steals and one rebound.
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But an unlikely guy in Miranda proved to be their biggest hero in the end.
A trade recruit in the offseason, Miranda knocked in a trey to tie the count at 83 then buried two foul shots to push NLEX ahead to stay at 85-83.
"Miranda was a potential just aching to expose himself if given the chance. And he really rewarded the team by making the most of the chance given him. It's the story of a lot of players -- languishing in the bench, but when given the break, they will step up and prove themselves," said Guiao.
The former San Sebastian Stag delivered 12 markers and three boards against one turnover in their title-clinching win.
And the Road Warriors have two days to prepare for Game One of their semis playoff versus the Hotshots.
"We'll push our luck. We'll prepare for Magnolia and who knows what will happen," said Guiao.(SB)
The scores:
NLEX 87 - Alas 18, Qui?ahan 16, Miranda 12, Ravena 11, Mallari 8, Fonacier 7, Soyud 5, Tiongson 3, Ighalo 3, Al-Hussaini 2, Taulava 2, Baguio 0, Gotladera 0.
ALASKA 83 - Abueva 17, Exciminiano 12, Casio 10, Racal 10, Manuel 9, Thoss 8, Banchero 8, Baclao 4, Enciso 2, Cruz 2, Magat 1, Teng 0, J. Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 24-23, 49-43, 68-71, 87-83.
