It was 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Three hours later, Gilas Pilipinas would hold its final practice in the Meralco Gym before flying to China the next day for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
At that time, most of the national team players were either at home still in deep slumber, or already braving the usual morning traffic jam en route to the facility located in Pasig City.
But Kiefer Ravena was in another gym at 10:00 a.m. He was in the nearby Upper Deck Sports Center.
Of course, he knew that Gilas had a session in the afternoon. But he decided to go to Upper Deck to suit up for his NLEX Road Warriors’ tuneup versus Phoenix Pulse.
He wanted to play, and not only because it would mark his first game with NLEX since his 18-month suspension. Ravena also wanted many games as he could get to better prepare for the World Cup.
Moreover, he wasn’t satisfied with the way he played in Gilas’ tuneup versus the Adelaide 36ers last Sunday – his very first game since the suspension – so he really made it a point to play.
“Pinilit ko rin talaga makalaro kanina. Sabi ko kailangan ko talaga. Ako mismo, ‘di ako satisfied sa una kong pinakita, kaya nilaro ko talaga kahit maliit yung pahinga sa practice namin,” he said.
Ravena came off the bench and checked in at the 3:35-mark of the opening frame. His first points with 1:45 left sparked the Road Warriors’ 8-0 run for a 26-14 lead 55 seconds into the second stanza.
NLEX then cruised to the big 114-77 victory. And Ravena played a large part, finishing with 14 markers.
“Masaya naman. At least maganda yung pinakita namin as a team,” said Ravena in the win. “Maganda yung ikot ng bola. Swerte lang din nashu-shoot namin three points namin.
“Nakakatuwa to be back with the team. Siyempre, after this (World Cup), yun na yung primary focus ko eh – makabawi kami from the past conferences. It’s a good sign,” he furthered.
It was Ravena’s second game this week before heading to the Worlds. And for him, his game with NLEX was of great help, as he is now more comfortable in playing.
“Medyo okay na. Nung first kasi medyo nangangapa pa talaga ako, pero I felt a little bit more comfortable dun sa game kanina. Wala na yung gigil kasi nakapaglaro na ‘ko ulit eh,” he said.
For Ravena, shaking off that “gigil” means a lot. Still, one challenge remains for him.
“I think the next challenge na haharapin ko talaga is to have that mental toughness, mental focus, to be able to compete at the world stage,” said the second-generation cager.
“This is the perfect chance to redeem myself by making history with the team. Whether maganda man laruin ko or hindi maganda laruin ko, basta makapasok lang kami ng second round, feeling ko okay na. Success story na lahat,” Ravena added.
“Yun lang iniisip ko ngayon – kung paano ako makakatulong sa 31 at sa the rest of the games sa World Cup.”
