If there’s one player who knows a lot about the often-ridiculed Kia Picanto franchise, look no further than LA Revilla.
The 28-year-old floor general is and remains as the longest tenured player in the three-year-old franchise, having spent three seasons with them after being shipped by GlobalPort Batang Pier way back in 2013, his rookie year.
Unfortunately though, Revilla’s stay with Kia was put to an end in the latter part of 2017, no thanks to his controversial tweet where he slammed the team’s higher-ups for illogically trading away their 2017 first round draft pick.
That draft pick, which they dealt to San Miguel Beermen in exchange for benchwarmers Rashawn McCarthy, Jay-R Reyes, and Ronald Tubid, turned out to be potential franchise cornerstone Christian Standhardinger.
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On Wednesday night, Revilla faced his former team for the first time. The La Salle standout is now with Phoenix after being shipped by Kia, and he got the last laugh as the Fuel Masters dismantled Picanto, 125-102.
Revilla made it clear though that he wasn’t out there to exact revenge on his team whatsoever. But the five-foot-seven cager from Bacolod admitted that he felt some sense of relief after playing against the Picanto.
“At least tapos na, okay na. Happy ako na it’s off my chest na,” said Revilla, who finished with six points and four assists. “Okay siya, good experience.
“Two more conferences this season so I guess magkakaroon pa ulit ng chance.”
Judging from the way he played, Revilla is clearly content with where he is right now — obviously far from what he had felt during his last days with the Picanto. And the outspoken playmaker is vocal about it.
“I’m happy, feeling ko parang ang tagal na ng stay ko sa Phoenix pero come to think of it, parang 2-3 months pa lang. Everyday I’m looking forward to practice and getting to know my teammates, coaches, and all the personnel.”
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The former Gilas pool member admitted that he didn’t have the chance to talk to his former teammates and coaches before playing at the Ynares Center, unlike other players who even take time to visit their old team in their dugout.
“Before I left naman I did talk to them. In today’s game, no,” he bared.
But there are no hard feelings anymore between Revilla and Kia, even if their relationship did not end well. In fact, Revilla even has a wish for his former team — a wish that is made perfectly for the holiday season.
“Yung team nila? They’re in a revamp. Na-experience ko na yun before with them,” said Revilla. “So I hope they keep the guys long term para hindi pabago-bago. Mahirap yun ganun eh.
“I hope they get the right guys.”
And maybe they can as Phoenix will soon call Kia as their sister team.
