By JEREMIAH SEVILLA
SMART CLARK GIGA CITY ‒ Kiefer Ravena expressed his readiness to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers set in Manama, Bahrain later this month.
Although the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has yet to release a national team pool, Ravena said he is very much willing to once again represent the country and serve as one of the seniors in the team.
“I’m just waiting and I’ll see kung paano ako makakatulong and kung anong gagawin namin,” said the 27-year-old guard after scoring 23 points in NLEX’s 127-101 rout of Terrafirma to end its PBA Philippine Cup bubble campaign Wednesday at the AUF Arena.
A many-time member of national team, Ravena said he will not pass up on a chance to don the national tricolors even though he is coming off a grueling campaign in the PBA under a bubble setup.
“Kaya pa naman,” the former UAAP champion from Ateneo quickly replied after being asked if he is still physically ready for the Asia Cup qualifiers. “Hindi natin tatanggihan ‘yung opportunity to play for the country.”
Ravena put up averages of 19.36 points, 5.45 rebounds and 4.64 assists in 30.46 minutes of play in all 10 games of the Road Warriors in the All-Filipino conference.
Terrafirma top gunner CJ Perez also bared his intention to join the team if he will be called up while NorthPort big man Christian is being eyed to reinforce the squad for the November window.
Gilas cadets Isaac Go, Rey Suerte, Allyn Bulanadi and Nieto brothers Matt and Mike are shoo-ins to play for the Philippines, which is set to take on South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia in the Group A of the qualifying tournament.
