Ravena aspires to make Rio Olympics
As one of only three amateurs invited to train with the national team, Ateneo star Kiefer Ravena intends to be more than just an attendance filler in the Gilas Pilipinas squad that has been having a tough time gathering the pro stars for weekly practice.
“I pay the highest respects to the veterans, but I’m also there to compete, to show my worth,” said Ravena, a two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player.
“Coach Tab (Baldwin) said I’m fighting for a slot for the Olympic qualifiers as well. So I really want to improve and help the team. I’m very blessed to be able to do that. I’m with the best. The competition is at the highest level—the cream of the crop in the PBA.”
Ravena got a call-up, along with Finals MVP Mac Belo of UAAP champion Far Eastern University and Kevin Ferrer of runner-up University of Santo Tomas, to practice every Monday night with the national team training for the Olympic qualifying tournament next year.
Baldwin had revealed that the pro players’ attendance dipped the past weeks as the PBA heads into the playoff phase.
Although Ravena admits that getting lined up remains “a long shot,” he’s enjoying the experience of training with the pros even before he joins the PBA Rookie Draft in August.
Just practicing with the Gilas team, I have a little gauge of where I am now compared to the professional people and I’m really far from [their skill set],” said Ravena.
“The game is really different already. I have a lot of things to adjust to, like the style of play. My weaknesses in college I also have to improve.”
Aside from training with the national squad, Ravena aims to finish his studies in the next few months, work on his own website (www.kieferravena.com) which he recently launched, and manage his restaurant business and other endorsements.
Ravena also plans to train for a couple of months in the United States before the Draft to be “ready physically and mentally.”
“I want to keep on improving,” said the 22-year-old Ravena. “I’m in that stage again where I just want to absorb and absorb.”
