Kiefer Ravena ‘grateful’ for shot at historic 5th SEA Games gold

Kiefer Ravena. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Kiefer Ravena couldn’t be more grateful to have made the Philippine men’s basketball team’s final 12-man lineup for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Ravena was selected out of 15 players despite being a late addition to the pool.

“Just so grateful to be part [of the team] despite being a late addition,” Ravena told INQUIRER.net in Filipino on Saturday.

“I’m always ready [to represent the country]. Hopefully, we get to make our fellow Filipinos proud.“

The 26-year-old Ravena may be the youngest on the all-PBA squad but he has the most experience playing in the regional meet.

The NLEX guard already holds the record with the most SEA Games gold medal by a Filipino athlete with four and he gets to add another this year in front of a hometown crowd.

Gilas Pilipinas, still heavily-favored to extend its reign, begins its campaign against Singapore on Dec. 4 at Mall of Asia Arena.

Leading the country’s bid is reigning five-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, Fil-German forward Christian Standhardinger and crack playmaker Stanley Pringle.

Also expected to play key roles are national team mainstays Troy Rosario, Roger Pogoy, Marcio Lassiter, Matthew Wright, Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio.

Donning the country’s colors for the first time are all-around guard Chris Ross and versatile bruiser Vic Manuel.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced the final roster Friday night.

Three of six Barangay Ginebra players who were part of the pool in Scottie Thompson, Art dela Cruz and Greg Slaughter failed to make the cut.