Gilas Pilipinas guard Kiefer Ravena during a game against Saudi Arabia in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena. Photo by Fiba
MANILA, Philippines — Kiefer Ravena admitted that hearing the home crowd jeer their coach Chot Reyes dampened their rousing 84-46 victory over Saudi Arabia in the Fiba World Cup 2023 Asian qualifiers on Monday before a packed Mall of Asia Arena that saw 19,829 fans in attendance.
Like his teammates Jordan Clarkson and Dwight Ramos, the national team captain expressed displeasure over the boos directed at Reyes every time he was flashed on the big screen.
“Siyempre bilang bayan, hindi mo talaga maa-appreciate yung ganun kahit sino naman, kahit anong nangyayari. Maiintindihan namin kung nasa abroad kami pero nandito tayo sa Pilipinas,” said Ravena, who scored eight points in 10 minutes of play.
(As one nation, you won’t appreciate that whoever you may be and whatever happens. We’d understand if we were playing abroad but we are here in the Philippines.)
“We’re to work as a team, as a program. Ano man ang mangyari, tulong-tulong lang kami. Siyempre nakakasama ng loob na may ganoong nagaganap,” he added.
(We’re to work as a team, as a program. Whatever happens, we will help each other. Of course, I feel bad for what happened.)
In fact, Ravena, who also receives his fair share of criticisms from fans online, kept his social media accounts private to block out the noise.
But he understands that Filipino fans are so passionate and they have the right to share their opinion. That’s why they will just take it in stride as their progress continues to the World Cup 2023.
“Everyone has different opinions. We also give importance to the people who support us. The Filipinos are just passionate (about basketball). For us, this is a challenge,” Ravena said in Filipino, who played for Reyes during the 31st Southeast Asian Games, Fiba Asia Cup, and the third window last July.
The 28-year-old guard is hoping to fly to Japan next week to join the Shiga Lakes in his second B.League season, seeking to lead his squad to a playoff appearance.
“Hopefully, I’ll be leaving next week. Just fixing a few papers and I’ll go back to Japan. Excited, very grateful being my second tour in Japan, representing the country, representing Shiga. Hopefully, my family can come over and watch me play,” he said. “(Playoffs) That’s the goal. That’s why we’re trying to improve our team.”
But going back to Japan won’t be a distraction to Ravena’s commitment to be part of the Gilas build-up for next year’s hosting of the World Cup as he hopes their group, bannered by Jordan Clarkson, Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, and his brother Thirdy, will have more time to jell.
“If we got enough time together, this could be something special, like (Jordan Clarkson) said, it’s a process that we have to trust. It’s a little bit rough but the team is sticking with one another. That’s the most important thing for us,” Ravena said.