Milestone in mind

If there’s one thing Kiefer Ravena misses the most, it’s donning the Philippine jersey. SHERWIN VARDELEON

There are so many things going through Kiefer Ravena’s mind as he continues to serve his Fiba suspension, foremost of which is an event that will take place at around this time next year.

The Philippines will be hosting the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and the NLEX star in the PBA is hoping to make the team that will represent the country and play before an expectedly loud home crowd.

“I really hope to help the country win the gold medal,” Ravena told the Inquirer.

If he gets his wish, that will mark the fifth time Ravena will have a shot at winning a gold medal in the biennial meet, making him one of the most successful SEA Games athletes of the Philippines.

He jokes about his motivation now: “[Five SEA Games golds] is the only thing Thirdy can’t chase.”

Ravena is referring to brother Thirdy, the current two-time UAAP champion with Ateneo who is matching his basketball success—and more.

But at the heart of his wish is the eagerness to represent the country again once he finishes his 18-month suspension for taking a workout drink that contained prohibited ingredients.

“Playing for the national team? That’s what I miss the most. More than anything,” Ravena said.

Ravena, then an 18-year-old who had just won a UAAP title, first won a SEA Games gold medal in 2011 in Jakarta, with a team that included Ray Parks Jr. and Greg Slaughter. His second gold came in 2013 in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, alongside the likes of Marcus Douthit, Kevin Alas and Parks.

Ravena again won a gold in 2015 in Singapore, with a team featuring Douthit, Scottie Thompson and Baser Amer.

Then, with a squad featuring Christian Standhardinger, Kobe Paras and Parks, Ravena won his fourth gold medal in 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.

Now 25, Ravena would be one of the veterans in the national squad should he earn another call-up for the SEA Games.

Ravena is currently working to stay in “the best shape possible” as he serves out his suspension, hoping to be in his strongest form once the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas forms the SEA Games squad.