Kiefer Ravena was immediately put to the test Monday evening when he played in Gilas Pilipinas’ second and final tuneup versus San Miguel Alab Pilipinas at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.
It marked the first engagement of the 6-foot guard with this particular batch of Gilas, in preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian Games here in Manila set on November 30-December 11.
For Ravena, it wasn’t difficult to play with his fellow flagbearers. He admitted that he has been studying the team’s plays, which he got from Gilas’ first tuneup with Alab last week.
“Napanood ko ‘yung last game, tapos nag-drawing na ‘ko ng mga plays namin dun sa iPad ko. Tapos dun inaaral ko sila dahan-dahan,” said Ravena, whom Tim Cone called to fill in for the hurt Jayson Castro.
“Kahit papano, nagagamit ko ‘yung pagiging fast learner ko dun sa sistema. I stayed for a little bit more kanina before going out warming up kasi kinailangan ko alamin ‘yung tinatakbo talaga namin,” added the four-time SEA Games gold medalist.
“Okay naman. I think so far isang practice, medyo gets ko na ano ‘yung gustong ipagawa ni coach Tim (Cone).”
Ravena also shared that it is an honor to finally learn from coach Tim Cone, the PBA’s winningest mentor.
“Very honored, and I’m just trying to learn anything and everything from him. I can use it to my advantage in the PBA, learning different systems, especially being under coach Tim,” he said.
“Hopefully it works out more than just for me but for the team, most importantly.”
Unfortunately, Ravena and Gilas fell to the ASEAN Basketball League club, as their comeback fell short, 89-93. But Ravena takes it in stride, hoping it will serve as a lesson for the whole team.
“It’s a good wake-up call for each and every one of us that if we don’t work hard and play together, this is what’s gonna happen,” said Ravena.
“We can’t take anybody lightly, especially sa SEA Games, na ayaw namin pagsisihan sa dulo na baka madali ka ng isa, wala ka nang chance para bumawi.”
