Ilonggo guard Kiefer Ravena of the NLEX Road Warriors is thrilled to be selected as the team captain of the Gilas Pilipinas for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers slated next month.
The Iloilo City-native admitted that there’s pressure with his captaincy, but he is getting support from the elder members of the team in Jean Marc Pingris, John Paul Erram, Jeth Troy Rosario and Jaymar Perez.
“Humingi lang din ako ng tulong of course with the PBA guys, especially kay kuya Marc Pingris,” Ravena said. “I won’t necessarily take all the cudgels na ako lang ‘yung team captain.”
“May pressure, of course, but hindi ko inaako lahat,” he added. “Kahit papaano, alam namin ‘yung highest level of international basketball. Ita-try namin. Magtutulungan lang kami para mapagana lahat and mabigyan ng panibagong identity ‘yung pool ng Gilas.”
Gilas Pilipinas interim coach Mark Dickel believes that the 26-year-old Ravena has the ability to be lead by example.
“It suits him,” said Dickel. “He’s talkative, communicative. It’s his turn. I think he’s more than capable of taking that role and doing a great job with it. We want everyone to be like that. But it’s gotta start with one guy first.”
“I think he can be a world-class point guard. My job this window is to start to get that out of him,” he added. “I’ve seen him do it numerous times for NLEX where I thought he was excellent last conference.”
###
BLIND ITEM: An incoming sophomore guard is still in stalemate with regards to his contract renewal talks with his team less than a month before the start of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup.
A source told the Buzzer Beater that both parties are still far from agreement with the newbie guard, and his manager is reportedly asking for the moon from the team management.
“Talented kung sa talented si PBA player pero ‘yung hinihingi niyang presyo—na lampasa maximum–ay wala naman sa lugar para sa isang bagito,” said the source.
“Sabagay hindi na naman bago para kay player yung magkaroon ng isyu sa pirmahan ng kontrata, and take note, he is just going to his second year sa liga,” he added.
“Last year, nahirapan din siyang makipagkasundo dun sa team na nag draft sa kanya dahil too much din hinihingi nila ng manager niya. Good thing at nag intervene si Kume kaya nagkapirmahan.”
“Talented pa naman si PBA player, kaya sayang na nasisira siya dahil sa ganyan. Sakaling di siya lumugar sa tama, malamang garahe ang career niya,” concluded the source.
