Ravena realizes dream to turn basketball into livelihood

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty years ago, Kiefer Ravena already knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

On Sunday afternoon, he got the first taste of what’s it like to be a pro. Drafted second overall by the NLEX Road Warriors, the country’s to homegrown prospect has finally set foot into the country’s premiere hooping league.

“Four years old ako noong nalaman kong pwedeng gawin itong hanap-buhay,” the two-time collegiate champion and multi-time SEA Games gold medalist shared. 

“Nakita ko ‘yung daddy ko kung pano kami (noon) — how he was a great provider for our family [through] basketball,” he shared.

Ravena is one of the two second-generation cagers in this year’s draft class — the other being Jeron Teng. 

The Ateneo de Manila University standout’s father, Bong, was also a first-rounder in 1992. He was drafted fifth overall by the San Miguel Beermen and went on to secure the Rookie of the Year honors by season’s end. 

The young Ravena, who have had hype hovering him since he was a high schooler, went on to deliver. Over and over, he has kept his promise: a title with Ateneo in high school, again in college; heck, even gold medals with the national team.

Now, this. Tagged as a "phenom" all his life, he has finally delivered a promise of sort to himself: to become a pro.

“Iba pa rin 'pag natawag na ‘yung pangalan mo doon sa podium,” he shared. “And sobrang dream come true.”

And it couldn’t feel more fitting when he revealed that his PBA team’s coach, who Yeng Guiao actually tried to pick his father during the 1992 PBA Draft. 

The fiery mentor, who was then handling Swift, had the sixth overall pick. But he and his team got beat by the Beermen in snaring the patriarch at number five.

“Twenty-five years ago, Coach Yeng, kinukuha niya ‘yung dad ko, ngayon nagkaroon siya ng opportunity na kumuha ng isang Ravena,” the youngster said. 

“Sana mas ok ‘yung nakuha niyang Ravena,” he added with a chuckle.

The older Ravena actually became a player of Guiao. But it was in in the now-defunct PBL--before turning pro.

"Hindi pa tao yan, di pa pinapanganak yan, player ko na ang tatay nya," the tough-talking tactician said. "We’re very close to Bong and (his mother) Mozzy."

"But its not really that closeness that made us decide," he continued. "What he has earned for himself through the years, he has proven that he is a winner, he has proven that he’s an intelligent player who can play in any system. Mas lalo nga maganda yung style nya for our system. Now, meron kaming K and K tandem--Kevin and Kiefer sa backcourt namin and they’ll be the future of this team."

Asked if he’s actually ready to face his father, who now calls the shots alongside TNT’s Nash Racela, the 24-year-old draftee had a swift answer.

“Professional na tayo,” he declared. “You’d have to take it professionally and do my best to help my team win.”