MANILA – Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena refused to be affected with all the bashing as he vows to continue playing for Gilas Pilipinas once his number is called.
According to the Shiga Lakes’ Asian import, he is considering the criticisms and unnecessary noises as part of the sacrifice he has to endure when he suits up for the national men’s basketball team.
“The sacrifice for me is the easy part,” Ravena said in an interview with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. “For me playing for the flag is a privilege and a blessing.”
“Nandito ka sa ibang bansa. Natuto ka sa career mo, individually and as a team. Nakakapaglaro ka pa ng sport na mahal mo, suot mo pa ‘yung bansa mo. Sobrang blessed pa rin namin na nandito kami sa sitwasyon na ganito,” he added.
The former NLEX Road Warriors guard said it has become a habit for him to don the Gilas colors since he first represented the country in a Milo tournament in Las Vegas.
“If I’m not mistaken, 13 years old ako noon. It was the first time to really represent the country together with the Milo Best team. It was in Las Vegas, if remember it correctly,” Ravena said.
“It was always something that I will always treasure na it opened the doors on how important to me the national team is, and how honored I am for it to be part of my career,” he added.
Since then, the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles star represented the Philippines several times, including Southeast Asian Games, FIBA Asia Cup and in the FIBA World Cup in 2019.
The Iloilo City-native guard is now hoping to make it to the 12-man roster of the Gilas Pilipinas team for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the Philippines.
“I’m just cherishing the moment. This is a story that I’ll gladly tell my kids and grandkids in the future that I was able to represent the country in our home soil,” said Ravena./PN
