Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
NLEX coach Yeng Guiao compared Kiefer Ravena to Willie Miller and Paul Lee just moments after the rookie guard made his PBA debut.
This time, his veteran teammate Cyrus Baguio mentioned Ravena and Mark Caguioa in the same breath shortly after the two-time UAAP MVP helped the Road Warriors make their first ever trip to the semifinals.
“From what I can see, he reminds me of Mark Caguioa in his heyday,” Baguio said in Filipino.”He has strong legs, shooting and drive so I really think his game resembles a Mark Caguioa. I hope he continues to get better.”
The 37-year-old Baguio, who is already in his 15th year in the PBA, was teammates with Caguioa during the 2009-10 season at Ginebra.
Baguio said the arrival of Ravena coupled with the steady rise of Kevin Alas made all the difference for NLEX in its best campaign so far since entering the league in 2014.
“They’re already ripe especially Kiefer. He’s played in a lot of competitions and he’s really a big help to the team for us to make the semis,” he said.
“In fact, I enjoyed watching him play earlier. He really has a big potential to be the face of the PBA.”