MANILA – Ilonggo guard Kiefer Ravena has returned from a year-long suspension. He is part of the 12-man Gilas Pilipinas roster that will compete in the 2019 FIBA World Cup starting Aug. 31 in China.
The NLEX Road Warriors guard was one of the six players identified by Gilas head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao to complete his national squad in its return to the World Cup.
“This pressure (of playing in the FIBA World Cup) is different from everything I’ve felt siiguro,” said Ravena, fresh from an 18-month FIBA suspension due to doping.
“We can’t have bad starts, lalo na sa World Cup. Mabilis ang laro doon at wala ng butaw na team. Everybody has an equal chance to make it to the next round,” the Iloilo City native added.
Also named in the final roster were PBA rookies Jaymar Perez of Columbian Dyip and Robert Bolick of NorthPort Batang Pier, Raymond Almazan of Meralco Bolts and Magnolia Hotshots’ backcourt Paul Lee and Andy Mark Barroca.
Earlier named by Guiao were naturalized center Andray Blatche, TNT KaTropa’s Roger Pogoy and Jeth Troy Rosario, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Gabe Norwood, San Miguel Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo, and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Japeth Aguilar.
Among those who were cut from the national team pool were Painters’ Beau Belga, Beermen’s Marcio Lassiter, Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters’ Matthew Wright and Road Warriors’ John Paul Erram.
The No. 31st ranked national men’s basketball team will first face No. 13 ranked Italy on Aug. 31, No. 4 ranked Serbia on Sept. 2 and No. 39 seed Angola on Sept. 4./PN
