Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Kiefer Ravena was the least surprised that his brother Thirdy made the cut in Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes’ “23-for-23” list.
After all, he saw first hand how hard the UAAP Season 80 Finals MVP worked to get to the level where he is in right now.
“Honestly, I wasn’t surprised. It’s something that each and every one of them deserve, and being part of the ’23-for-23’ is something he (Thirdy) really worked for in the last couple of years,” Kiefer said.
“It just goes to show that if you work hard, the Lord will be there because He knows how hard you’ve worked for it.”
However, Thirdy’s inclusion to the pool doesn’t guarantee anything. That’s always been the case ever since, even to the current Gilas Pilipinas pool where every player is fighting for a spot in the final lineup.
That’s why Kiefer echoed Reyes in encouraging his younger brother to keep working.
“You’re in the pool, so it’s either you make yourself into the lineup or out of the pool. You have to control what you can control and that is how you play and how consistently you’ll be in practice.”
Though Kiefer didn’t really give his brother any advice, he said that Thirdy has perfectly understood his situation in Gilas as one part of the young bloods.
“At the start, it’s always jittery, seeing your idols and playing against them, playing with them, and learning the system, but it’s something that you should be proud of yourself,” he said. “You’re here for a reason. The coaches picked you for a reason. And it’s up to you how you maximize your time in this program.”
The older Ravena, though, couldn’t avoid thinking about the prospects of teaming up with his brother once again.
READ: Kiefer looks forward to possibility of playing with Thirdy at Gilas
“Basketball is a very small world. You’ll never know who’ll your encounter in your professional career once again,” said NLEX’s prized rookie in the PBA.
“Just being in the pool and just being in the same vicinity with Thirdy, it’s really kind of still new to me. Hopefully, in the long run, may be it in 2023 when we’ll become teammates, it’s fine. I’m sure it’s gonna be worth the wait for me and my parents.”