Photo from Shiga Lakestars Twitter
MANILA, Philippines—It’s all brotherly love between Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena after they split their first two games in the 2021-22 B.League season.
Kiefer said playing against his brother in the B.League is reminiscent of their younger days when they played barefoot in their backyard.
This time, however, they are playing in one of the premier basketball leagues in Asia.
“It takes us back to our younger days when we were playing in the backyard of our home court before, playing with no shoes on and just enjoying basketball, and now we’re in one of the highest level of leagues in the world, showcasing our talents, representing our family, representing the Filipino talents, and representing the Filipino people as well,” said Kiefer, who plays for Shiga.
Thirdy got the better of his older brother in their rematch 101-96 at the Lakestars home floor of Ukaruchan Arena.
OTにもつれ込んだ試合を決めたのは
美しいパスワークから最後は #サーディ・ラベナ の3P！#Bリーグ#ソフトバンク・ワイモバイルなら見放題@NEO_PHOENIX— バスケットLIVE (@BASKETLIVE_JP) October 3, 2021
Kiefer and Shiga won their first encounter, 93-83, in a game where the Lakestars rose from 22 points down.
The 千両役者
Super Star🌟@kieferravena pic.twitter.com/2p1a2IwU81— 滋賀レイクス SHIGA LAKES (@shigalakestars) October 2, 2021
✨LAKES WIN✨
10/2 滋賀ダイハツ販売presents
滋賀 93-83 三遠
試合終了3Qに最大22点ビハインドがあった展開を柏倉やラベナ、ソコらの活躍で挽回🔥
後半58-31とまさにSTART RUSHな勢いでクラブ初のホーム開幕戦勝利‼️ pic.twitter.com/EWJ5iVcI9Z
— 滋賀レイクス SHIGA LAKES (@shigalakestars) October 2, 2021
Thirdy, who is in his second season in the B.League, said that his sophomore season in Japan will be his redemption tour after he struggled in his first year with San-En.
Battling through COVID-19 and a finger injury, Thirdy averaged 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in his first year in Japan.
So far in his first two games, Thirdy has stepped up while taking on a bigger role, averaging 16 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 32 minutes a game.
“I just felt like I wasn’t as helpful last season because of all the injuries and COVID and all of that,” said Thirdy. “Personally, I will do whatever it takes to win and help my teammates. It doesn’t matter if it’s scoring or passing the ball, whatever role they give me, I really want to just help them.”