Kiefer Ravena is undoubtedly one of the greatest collegiate players of his generation and his transition to the professional game has been nothing short of seamless.
The two-time UAAP MVP put on a master class against Kia in his first game in the PBA Philippine Cup with an 18-point, 12-assist, and seven-rebound line and it was thanks in large part to NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao’s guidance.
“Coach Yeng he really brings out the best in youn even if you’re just a rookie,” said Ravena in Filpino after their 119-115 victory Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
“The most important thing is that you always follow his system, you trust everybody in the team, and eventually your game will just come out.”
Ravena’s impressive debut even earned him high praise from Guiao, who compared the highly-touted rookie to Paul Lee and Willie Miller.
“The pressure’s there, but even though coach Yeng was praising me like that come practice there will be none of that,” said Ravena. “There’s nothing special about it. Whatever he said today will be water under the bridge.”
Although Ravena scored all 18 of his points in the first three quarters, going 7-of-11 from the field, he chose to facilitate in the final period dishing his last four assists to help the Road Warriors throw off the Picanto.
Ravena said he didn’t need to score in the fourth quarter and he even admitted that it was easier to have his teammates score than take over offensively.
“I didn’t score in the fourth quarter, but the beauty of the PBA is that other guys can step up any time,” said Ravena. “Your role then adjusts, if someone’s hot you just give him the ball, we can find ways to contribute and assert yourself in the little things.”