Kiefer Ravena only witnessed the unceremonious end to Alab Pilipinas’ campaign in the 2017 ASEAN Basketball League on Friday night, but the Phenom is still upbeat even if his stint had lasted just two games.
“Masaya. Masaya yung experience ko,” said the 23-year-old star moments after the Philippine contingent’s 82-64 Game 2 defeat at the hands of now-Finals-bound Singapore Slingers at the Baliwag Star Arena in Bulacan.
“It’s something na marami akong natutunan in the course of a week and a half na nakasama ko yung teammates ko. Sobrang saya. Ang sarap ng pakikisama ng lahat, kasi one goal lahat. Sayang lang short.”
Ravena’s run with the Filipino team in the Southeast Asian pro league may have been short, but that span was enough for him to experience new things — such as the constant trips that ABL teams make and the support they receive.
“Itong support na ‘to, ibang klase [yung fans]. First time ko rin maglaro ng home-and-away type of game eh, so ito yung first experience ko na talagang tipong magta-travel ka, go back to your country, and play,” shared Ravena.
And the Ateneo de Manila University product hopes that he was able to fulfill what was expected from him by Alab, and he also hopes to have another opportunity to represent the Philippines in the annual regional league in the near future.
“Sana I was able to bring positive things to the team, though you know talo parehas. Hopefully this relationship with Alab extends all through out our careers, and we will never know kung magkakasama kami ulit.
“Hopefully we’ll be given another chance to play together,” Ravena aims.
Now that his ABL run has come to an end, Ravena has set his sights back on his main goal — continuing his NBA dreams. But before that, he looks first to stay a bit longer here in the Philippines to meet some obligations.
“Rest up first, and continue working out in the D-League. Hopefully I can practice with Gilas and meet some PBA teams before I go back to the States,” the former Ateneo Blue Eagle revealed.
Asked if he will test the waters of the PBA Draft this year, Ravena has not made up his mind yet.
“I think I still have time to think about it. [NBA] Summer League, so hopefully I can enter that,” he shared.
“And yun, make my decision after that.”
