MANILA — Ilonggo basketball star Kiefer Ravena has officially closed the curtain on his Gilas Pilipinas career, confirming his retirement from the national team after representing the Philippines for nearly 17 years from the youth ranks to the senior squad.
Speaking to ABS-CBN Sports during Alex Eala’s “Play Mind Games” meet-and-greet at Nike Fort in Taguig on Monday, the 32-year-old guard announced that his days wearing the Philippine jersey are over.
“I’m done with my career with the National team. It has been fun,” the former NLEX Road Warriors guard remarked.
Ravena explained that his decision came after he was no longer included in the Gilas Pilipinas program under current head coach Tim Cone.
“Hindi lang naman talaga ako kinukuha (sa Gilas Pilipinas), whatever the reason may be. Pero either way, retire na rin naman ako sa national team,” he said.
A mainstay of the national squad under former head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes, Ravena first suited up for the Philippine youth team in 2009 before becoming one of Gilas Pilipinas’ longtime floor generals in international competition.
His final appearance for the national team came during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Manila, where he averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 assists in five games.
During his international career, Ravena helped the Philippines capture five consecutive Southeast Asian Games gold medals from 2011 to 2019 and also won SEABA championships at both the Under-18 and senior levels.
Following Cone’s appointment after the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Ravena was no longer named to the Gilas roster or training pool.
“A lot of people said na hindi pa kailangan, pero nag-retire na nga,” Ravena said. “That’s the direction that they are going, so for me, there’s no problem with that.”
Now concentrating on his professional career with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Japan’s B.League, Ravena said he leaves the national team grateful for the opportunity to represent the country and with no unfinished business.
“I’m very happy that I was able to have that opportunity. I’m just in full support for the National team and the next generation of athletes who will represent the Philippines,” Ravena said.
“It’s not that I wasn’t able to represent the country in my career. I’ve done it in the past. Walang kulang, no regrets, and just full love,” he added./PN
