Sidelined Ravena, Norwood relish Spain experience with Gilas

MANILA, Philippines—Gabe Norwood and Kiefer Ravena had to stay on the sidelines during Gilas Pilipinas’ training camp in Spain last week, but they still managed to make most of the experience.

Norwood, who was nursing a groin injury, and Kiefer Ravena, who was still serving his suspension missed the chance to join their teammates in a series of scrimmages and a pocket tournament in preparation for the 2019 Fiba World Cup.

“It was a different training camp for me because this is the first time ever really that I sat one out,” said Norwood at Gilas’ Thursday practice. “I think I’ve only missed three or four games even in the PBA my whole career.”

“I just tried to learn as much as I could, be along with the coaching staff as much as I could in terms of just things we could work on,” added the Gilas captain. “It was actually good for me to see the game from a different angle.”

The suspended one and the 👴🏾 pic.twitter.com/cxuaHKMHbE

— Kiefer Ravena (@kieferravena) August 9, 2019

Gilas took third place in the Torneo de Malaga but missed the chance to play against Spain after losing to Congo, 82-71, in the tournament opener.

Ravena, who will be eligible again to play on the 24th, said he still relished his time in Spain where he got to bond with his teammates.

“The trip is important for me because it’s not just in the basketball court that you will learn things but also outside of it,” said Ravena in Filipino. “You’re with them all the time and it’s like a team-building event for us, just a little bit grander because we’re in Spain.”