‘Manong’ Kiefer Ravena is back. And he’s better than ever.
As his contract negotiations with NLEX trudge along, ever so slowly, the 28-year-old has been called upon for another tour of duty – this time with a Gilas Pilipinas lineup that features no other player older than 25 years old.
Now well into his prime, “The Phenom” is the undisputed leader of a national team hoping to stand up after a sorry stumble in the recent Southeast Asian Games — the Horror in Hanoi, as they say. For him, though, his latest run in blue, red, and white means much more than playing for himself and playing for the country.
“For me, the goal here is to try to be around them, be good company for them. For a guy like me na marami-rami nang experience sa national team, gusto ko lang ma-share yun,” he expressed.
“Just let them know na they’re the future.”
It’s quite funny to hear that last line from Ravena, who himself was seen as the future a little while ago. Just six or so years before, he was being eyed as next in line after Jimmy Alapag and Gabe Norwood as Gilas leader.
Of course, being ‘manong’ has long prepared him for times like this. And this time, he’s eagerly looking forward to sharing the backcourt with SJ Belangel and RJ Abarrientos.
“Siyempre, yung mga point guards, sina RJ at SJ, gusto kong makasama sila, matulungan sila,” he detailed. “Gusto kong ma-share kung anumang pwede kong ma-input sa already made up na skillset nila. Magagaling na sila e, ‘di na naman kailangang turuan. Kailangan lang i-guide, and siguro, offer a different perspective on things.”
Aside from sharing some tricks of the trade at point, Ravena also shared he’s been advising Belangel on how to approach playing abroad. The latter is set to suit up for his first season in the Korean Basketball League in October, while the former had just wrapped up his maiden campaign in the Japanese B.League.
“Actually, matagal-tagal na kaming nag-uusap ni SJ. Tinatanong niya ako palagi about how things are (overseas),” he expounded. “Ine-explain ko sa kanya na pagdating sa international, pro ka. ‘Di mo pwedeng i-expect na may magbe-babysit sayo, na may aalalay sayo sa bawat galaw mo. Lahat kayo dun, naghahabol ng trabaho e, so ‘di pwedeng basta-basta lang lahat ng gagawin mo.”
Without a doubt, a much-welcome reminder for the 22-year-old Belangel.
Don’t think for a second, though, that ‘manong’ only has eyes for his backcourt-mates.
He remarked that he was pumped up to play alongside each and every player in the 10-man roster that flew to Korea yesterday. That includes fellow B.League import Dwight Ramos; collegiate standouts Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, Geo Chiu, and Rhenz Abando; and Gilas mainstays William Navarro and Lebron Lopez.
Among all them, though, just one more name stood out as the player Ravena cannot wait to see in action up close and personal. As he put it, “Carl Tamayo. Most definitely, Carl Tamayo.”
A Ravena-Tamayo pick-and-roll and/or pick-and-pop? Can’t say no to that!
