Kiefer Ravena hopes he and Thirdy get a chance to represent the country together
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan has always said that Kiefer Ravena is one of the cornerstones of the Gilas Pilipinas program for the years to come.
But with the majority of the current batch of Gilas players already entering their twilight or probably retired by the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the SBP released its wishlist on who they want to be part of the pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
One of those names was Kiefer’s younger brother Thirdy.
“Proud of him,” Kiefer, who is four years old than Thirdy, said Sunday evening.
“It’s something that he’s earned and I’m extremely proud of that.”
Thirdy, a six-foot-three forward, came out of his brother’s shadows during the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball tournament. Posting norms of 15.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists last season, he led the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles to the championship while winning the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball Finals Most Valuable Player plum.
But the World Cup is still five years away and a lot of things can happen by then. Kiefer, who is the record-holder for most gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games with four, knows that the work has yet to begin for Thirdy and the rest of the pool.
“Happy for him but it’s still a long way to go,” the NLEX Road Warriors rookie said.
“A lot of things can cappen.
“But seeing his name and those young guys representing our country come 2023 is a sigh of relief. Alam na natin mga i-eexpect natin,” he furthered.
Same goes for Kiefer. Even if he has been dubbed as one of the fixtures of that team, he shared that he is hoping that his physical will allow him to be teammates with his brother when the time comes.
“Yeah! Of course! If the body is willing why not?
“I’ll be 29 or 30 by that time,” he expressed.
