Two years have passed but NLEX Road Warriors guard Kiefer Ravena still feels the pain of his aborted Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-Star stint in front of his fellow Ilonggos.
The event, held at the University of San Agustin Gym in Iloilo City, was one he was looking forward to, according to the Iloilo City-native guard, but all went to naught when told by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial on the day itself that he cannot play.
“Excited talaga ako noon na maglaro sa Iloilo kasi iba talaga ‘yung feeling to play in front of Ilonggos at nataon pa na PBA All-Star ‘yun,” Ravena recalled during the Sports LANG podcast.
“Sobrang down talaga ako nun noong sinabihan ako na hindi pwede maglaro but the ball has to keep on rolling,” added Ravena, who was prevented from playing due to 18-month suspension imposed on him by FIBA after being tested for banned substance.
The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles star admitted that he loves Iloilo City so much that he always looks forward to their once in a year trip to his father’s hometown.
“Aside from visiting my relatives, just being there, being around Iloilo, time is so slow, ang dami mong nagagawa. Being away from a lot of things, interacting with a lot of people there,” Ravena said.
“I also look forward to playing pickup games with mga friends ko na Ilonggo at syempre isa pa sa nilo-look forward ko sa Iloilo ‘yung iba’t ibang pagkain lalo na ‘yung batchoy,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ravena also shared in the same podcast that he is proud to be at the receiving end of Road Warriors head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao’s sweet nothings just once in his PBA career.
He recalled that the said incident took place during the Road Warriors’ game against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City during his rookie year.
“Bale pa-halftime na ‘yon, last possession kami, hawak ko ‘yung bola, but instead of making play nadepensahan ako ng kalaban kaya hindi kami naka-attempt sa last shot,” Ravena said.
“Nung papasok na kami sa dugout, dinig ko sa may likuran ko si coach Yeng may mga sinasabi pero dire-diretso ako, ‘di ko siya pinapakinggan. But nung nasa loob na kami ng dugout, ‘yun na hinanap ako then ‘yun na bleep, bleep, bleep,” he added.
Regardless of that, Ravena said that he was grateful to be selected by Guiao as the no. 2 overall pick during the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft.
“As a player you want to be under him because he gives you opportunities to play and to perform,” Ravena said. “Being on his team ramdam ko bakit love na love siya ng players niya.”/PN
