Kiefer Ravena was undoubtedly the star of the 2017 PBA Draft Combine
One of the all-time Ateneo greats helped his team reign as champions in the Draft Combine’s mini tourney. But more than that, he reigned supreme in three individual tests in the first day, and he was included in the Mythical Five.
And ultimately, he was adjudged as the cagefest’s Most Valuable Player.
“Lumabas lang talaga yung pagka-competitive, ayoko talaga magpatalo,” said Ravena after the two-day event, Tuesday at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong, “Mindset ko was to win as much as I can, whether sa individual skills yun or sa team competition.”
“Lalo na doon sa team competition kasi I really wanted to help my team win and I wanted to make my teammates look as good as I can sa combine, para lahat kami makita maglaro. Siyempre the more we win, the more games we play, the more exposure that we get,” he added.
He may have played like a man among the boys, but the second-generation star insisted that the two-day activity had also helped him learn a lot.
“Maraming learnings kasi alam mo yun, iba-ibang kultura, iba-ibang backgrounds ang mga teammates ko dito,” said the Gilas Pilipinas cager.
“Whether we are playing together or this is the first time we played basketball together, we just made the most out of the opportunity and we made everything fun.”
The 23-year-old combo guard will actually turn a year older this October 27 — two days before the Rookie Draft. And the opportunity to be in the pro ranks after a long time, for him, is nothing but a perfect present for his birthday.
“Malapit na birthday ko so perfect birthday gift ‘to kung saan mang team ako mapunta,” said Ravena, “So I’m just praying hard.”
The Rookie Draft is set this coming Sunday at the Robinson’s Place Manila. Ravena is projected to be the second overall pick by the NLEX Road Warriors, and if that takes place, he is keen on bringing his impact to them right away.
“‘Di ko alam ano i-eexpect. I know it’s gonna be hard, it’s gonna be difficult, but I’ll be prepared,” he said.
“But if given the chance to be chosen by NLEX, I’d like to give them a turnaround in whatever way I can to help the team be better.”
