MANILA, Philippines – Itinuring ni two-time UAAP MVP Kiefer Ravena na malaking pagkakataon ang pagsabay niya sa ensayo sa Gilas Pilipinas noong Lunes sa Meralco Gym sa Pasig City.
“I’m so blessed to be able to do that – train with the best. It’s big for me because this is the highest level, cream of the crop of the PBA,” sabi ni Ravena sa paglulunsad ng kanyang website na www.kieferravena.com noong Martes sa Ally’s All-Day Breakfast Place.
Ang dating Ateneo skipper ay isa sa tatlong varsity stalwarts na tinapik ni Gilas coach Tab Baldwin para sumama sa kanilang practice ng pros-dominated pool na naghahanda para sa Olympic qualifiers.
Ang dalawa pa ay sina dating University of Santo Tomas star Kevin Ferrer at Far Eastern University forward Mac Belo.
“Practicing with Gilas allows me to have a little gauge of where I am right now compared to the pros so I’m really far from that. The game is really different already, I have a lot of things to adjust to, weaknesses to address. At this stage, it’s not about making an impact in the PBA; it’s more about lengthening your stay because of the quick turnover of talents,” wika ni Ravena.
“I’m at that stage again where I’m absorbing what I can absorb from the veterans so I can improve,” dagdag pa nito.
Inamin ni Ravena, miyembro ng Gilas Cadet na kumuha ng gold medal sa nakaraang Southeast Asian Games, na hindi niya tiyak kung mapapasama siya sa Gilas final lineup.