Ravena stands by Chot amid boos from frustrated Gilas fans
MANILA, Philippines — Kiefer Ravena isn’t going to turn on his head coach in the middle of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, jumping to Chot Reyes’ defense after their 90-83 loss to Italy to end Group A hostilities at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.
To the chagrin of the Gilas side, the crowd at the Big Dome hurled jeers at Reyes when the latter was called out during the pre-game lineup announcements.
After the game, Ravena made it clear that he and the rest of the players are staying in their coach’s corner.
“I know it’s been happening, but I’m gonna play for my coach ‘til the wheels fall off,” Ravena said.
“This is something I have to lead by example — me, Japeth [Aguilar], and most of the guys that have been here,” he added.
It is not the first time that Reyes has been booed by Gilas fans in a home game, as it also happened last year during one window of the World Cup qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena.
Reyes has also been on the receiving end of heavy criticism due to the program’s recent performances.
But Ravena insists that the home crowd needs to be on their side — including their coach.
With the classification phase looming, Ravena asks for the full support of the Filipino fans.
“Again, we have to use this crowd as an advantage, not a disadvantage diba? Yun naman ang pinaka-rason kung bakit natin dinala itong event na to dito. So yun lang, kailangan namin ma-flip yung script na gawin namin siyang advantage kesa yung kabahan kami, di kami nakakapaglaro ng maayos kasi naririnig namin kung ano yung ginagawa ng crowd,” said Ravena.
“Pero at the end of the day, nagpapasalamat pa rin kami sa mga sumusuporta pero, sana, you know, from this stage on, malapit na rin naman matapos, suportahan niyo na lang kami.” he added.
Gilas now awaits who they will face in the classification phase. The Nationals will play either on Thursday, August 31, or Friday, September 1, depending on the results of the other games in Group B.
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