MANILA – Province-based athletes who were strutting their wares in the big leagues in Metro Manila must learn how to make sacrifices and keep their feet on the ground to be successful.
This was the advice given by TNT KaTropa head coach Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena, who was a former standout of University of San Agustin in Iloilo City before transferring to the University of the East Red Warriors in UAAP.
“My advice to provincial players is, if they want to follow their dreams, they must unload all the barriers such as homesick. They need to make sacrifices,” Ravena said in an interview with Sports LANG.
“They must also be humble at all times and should always look back on where they come from,” he added. “Another important thing is they must be ready for adjustments, adjustments to their new teammates, coaches and environment.”
The 50-year-old Ravena, who hails from Barangay Tabucan in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, also advised the parents of provincial-based athletes to always give their 100 percent support.
“For parents who have children engage in sports, support them 100 percent but there must be discipline,” said Ravena, father of NLEX Road Warriors star Kiefer Ravena, Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Thirdy Ravena and Ateneo Lady Eagles’ Dani Ravena.
Following his remarkable career with the Red Warriors, Ravena played for 13 years in the PBA with San Miguel Beermen, Purefoods Hotdogs and KaTropa and won five PBA championships. He also suited up at MBA in 1998 with Pasig Pirates.
After retiring from professional basketball in 2005, Ravena served as assistant coach at KaTropa before he was elevated as head coach in 2018, replacing then TNT mentor Nash Racela./PN
