Ferrer joins Ravena in Gilas Pilipinas pool practice

Caption: Kiefer Ravena (left) and Kevin Ferrer share a laugh as reports line up for an interview with the two UAAP stars after Monday night’s practice with the Gilas Pilipinas pool at Meralco Gym in Pasig. Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

Kevin Ferrer was the latest UAAP star to show up in the national team pool practice on Monday night at Meralco Gym in Pasig.

Ferrer joined his rival and close friend Kiefer Ravena as the only collegiate players part of Gilas Pilipinas’ training in preparation for the Olympic qualifiers in July next year.

READ: Ravena joins Gilas Pilipinas practice

Ferrer, like Ravena, didn’t want to pass up the rare opportunity to experience playing with the country’s best players and learn from the greatest coaching minds.

“I’m really happy that I got invited to be part of this practice. Before, I’m only watching my idols on TV and now we’re part of the same practice and I’m learning new things from them,” Ferrer told reporters as Ravena messed with him during the short interview.

The 22-year-old Ferrer said being part of Gilas training is also way to move on from University of Santo Tomas’ Game 3 loss to Far Eastern University two weeks ago even if he’s reuniting with the man who guided the Tamaraws to their first UAAP title in 10 years.

READ: Big J, other Olympians offer Gilas inspiring menu for Rio bid

“Past is past. I don’t want to dwell on it and just move on because it’s a new journey and this is a different level,” Ferrer said.

“For me, we’re on the same team now and there’s no awkwardness between us,” he said on being on the same team with FEU head coach Nash Racela, who is one of Tab Baldwin’s assistants with Gilas.

Although, there’s no assurance of Ferrer and Ravena making it to the final lineup, the 6-foot-4 forward admits that he’s still hoping to make the the roster.

“I’m dreaming of making the final lineup,” said Ferrer, who won two gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games in 2013 and 2015 as part of Gilas cadets.