MANILA – Ilonggo guard Kiefer Ravena of NLEX Road Warriors will be returning to the national squad as part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games to be held in the country later this month.
Gilas head coach Tim Cone said the Iloilo City native was added to the 15-man pool following the exit of TNT KaTropa veteran Jayson Castro due to an injury sustained while playing in the PBA.
“Coach Tim asked us if Kiefer could join the pool especially [since] Jayson couldn’t play,” Gilas team manager Gabby Cui said. “We talked to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, we’re cleared.”
Despite no assurance if he will be part of the final 12 roster, Ravena is confident that the Road Warriors will allow him to join the national men’s basketball team practices despite his team playing in the playoffs of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“I’m pretty sure naman papayagan ako ng NLEX. More than anything else, the decision is not in my hands,” the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles standout said.
He added: “I just have to wait. First things first is ayoko ko makagulo sa kanila. You see the team, they’re complete already. But with Coach Tim, it’s a learning opportunity for me and I’m really thankful for that.”
Gilas Pilipinas were the perennial champions in the SEA Games men’s basketball competition. During the 2017 edition, the Philippines defeated Indonesia for the gold medal./PN
