FILE – Gilas’ Kiefer Ravena drives against Singapore during their game in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games at MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
KUALA LUMPUR — With four gold medals around his neck, Kiefer Ravena is still not taking anything for granted.
Just when about everybody was trying to score in garbage time in the gold medal match against Indonesia, Ravena dashed for a fast break, but found the lanes suddenly crowded.
The 6-foot playmaker, his hair pulled back by a hairband, then, decided to take a step back before swishing a three.
Just another basket in the Philippines’ pile of points that buried an overmatched Indonesia side Saturday night.
READ: Philippines defends basketball titles, rips Indonesia for the gold
“But for me, that step-back three,” Ravena, would say later, “That was my graceful exit.”
Ravena added: “I would love to play for a fifth SEA Games. But nobody knows what will happen. There could be another coach. Another program. Other players.”
Of all the Philippines’ basketball gold medal runs, he said this edition was the toughest.
“All the countries have stepped up. They really want to win over us. They prepared for us,” said Ravena.
But for the meantime, Ravena, who would watch girlfriend Alyssa Valdez the following morning for the women’s volleyball bronze medal match, would like to relish the newest addition to his growing collection.
“It’s icing on the cake,” he said.