Rafi Reavis gets an assist from Chito Victolero, his teammate 18 years ago in another league, to break a basketball “deadlock.” —DENISON REY A. DALUPANG
It’s been so long since Rafi Revis last received an assist from Chito Victolero on the basketball court—it was sometime around the last time they won a title together.
“Our first [title] was 18 years ago—as teammates,” the Filipino-American big man recalled. “Now with him being my coach, and now winning [another] one under him, it’s just awesome. Words can’t describe it.”
Reavis and Victolero go way back. They were teammates at the San Juan Knights in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association. After winning a title together with the Knights, they joined the PBA in the same 2002 draft class.
Their time together has forged a bond that has helped Victolero’s stint as head coach of the Hotshots.
“I always talk to (Rafi) and check with them for suggestions and all,” said Victolero.
And with Magnolia’s recent victory, Victolero dished off another assist to Reavis to help break a basketball deadlock. The 16-year PBA veteran now has the most crowns for an active player at 11, snapping a tie with San Miguel Beer’s Yancy de Ocampo.
The milestone is a testament to Reavis’ longevity as it is the shared expertise between player and coach.
“Some people have an expiration date that’s a little earlier than others. Like myself, my expiration date is probably a little bit longer,” he said. “My shelf life is a little longer. Some guys know when it’s time to give it up. But guys like myself, I’m just gonna try to play as long as I can because I’m still enjoying it.”
And Reavis doesn’t mind enduring the sacrifice it takes.
“Discipline and hard work, you know. I try to keep myself in shape, eat right, just try to stay relevant, work as hard as I can all the time,” he said. “And I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.”
“I don’t think I’m a handicap to the team. As long as I feel like I’m being a gem or doing something positive for a team, then I’ll stick around,” added Reavis, who averaged 4.27 points and 3.82 rebounds in the season-ending conference.
“I feel like I’m in my late 20s or something like that. I feel great. I see myself sticking around at least four years.”
And Reavis hopes for another assist from Victolero as he chases another goal.
“Asi (Taulava)—he’s another guy that I’ve been chasing. I’d like to play at least a year longer than him… I’ll keep working on myself and stay in shape so I can achieve that goal.”