Even before stepping foot in the PBA, Kiefer Ravena has drawn widespread praise from his “big brothers” in the big league, noting that his game is very mature for his age. And seeing the four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist in the basketball’s biggest stage has brought added excitement to the league’s old guard.
This includes eighth-year pro Stanley Pringle as they are set to face-off when the Globalport Batang Pier takes on the NLEX Road Warriors on Christmas day.
Pringle, 30, is familiar with Ravena’s game as they have shared the court together numerous times. The 6-foot-1 guard shares the same sentiments with his fellow veterans in saying that the NLEX rookie’s work ethic is what makes him a unique talent.
“I’ve played with Kiefer since before I was in the PBA. He’s great competitor, a hardworker,” said the first overall pick in the 2014 draft.
“He’s a great player already so it’s going to be hard with Kiefer playing, you have to figure out what he can do good and execute what we scouted.”
Though facing Ravena will surely bring out his competitive fire, the three-time All-Star stressed that he can’t delve away from the game plan.
“I’m not really looking at edging anybody,” he said with regards to his experience edge over Ravena, who tallied 18 points and 12 assists in his debut. “I’m focused on our team.
“When the coaches scout, we execute and that’s what it’s all about.”
Beyond this game, Pringle is expecting Globalport to have an excellent campaign this conference. The Batang Pier are not tempering their expectations, saying that this batch has what it takes to at least make the final four.
“This 2018 is going to be great.
“As far as the team, semifinals, we have all the goals and plans set in and we’re gonna work hard. It’s gonna be a great season. It’s gonna be exciting,” Pringle shared.
