Ravena joins Gilas practice: ‘It’s something I really want to do in the future’

Kiefer Ravena (right) joined Ginebra bigs Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar and the rest of the Gilas pool in training. Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

Not long after playing in his final UAAP game, Kiefer Ravena joined national team pool training for the first time Monday night at Meralco gym.

“It’s something that I really want to do in the future. I really want to be part of Gilas,” said Ravena, who won a couple of championships and MVP awards for Ateneo.

Ravena said Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin had already talked about being an “extra body” in practice and shortly after the Blue Eagles got eliminated by the Far Eastern University Tamaraws just a little over a week ago, the crack guard immediately shifted his sights on helping out.

The 22-year-old Ravena is set to leave on Dec. 8 to take part in a 3-on-3 tournament in Qatar along with fellow collegiate standout Jeron Teng and NCAA imports Bright Akhuetie and Ola Adeogun.

Practicing with “the cream of the crop,” will help him stay in tiptop shape apart from learning from PBA stars like Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo and LA Tenorio, who he looks forward to teaming up with the most.

“I want to familarize myself with the system and play with these guys who eventually I will face in the pros,” Ravena, one of the top prospects in the 2016 PBA Draft, said.

“Growing up, I saw them play, work hard and get to the status where they are now,” he said. “And in the future, I also want to be one of them.”

Baldwin, who left for the US last week due to a family emergency, missed practice. Assistant coach Jong Uichico took over training, which lasted for only an hour.

Ravena, who won two golds as part of Sinag Pilipinas, said he has no expectations of making the final Gilas lineup and suiting up in the Olympic qualifiers.

“I have no expectations of making the national team. Just work my butt off and help the team.”