After missing the previous window, brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena will reunite for another tour of duty with Gilas Pilipinas in the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
A member of the national team program since 2015, Kiefer stressed that he is grateful for another opportunity to serve the country.
In fact, despite his busy schedule with the Shiga Lakestars in the Japan B. League, Kiefer made sure to be the first player to arrive when Gilas Pilipinas shifted its training to higher gear.
He will play a very crucial role as he is the only pure point guard playing for Gilas as the rest of the members play multiple positions.
“I’m excited, of course. When it comes to the national team, I’m always making myself available and it’s always a priority,” said Kiefer, who missed the fifth window against Jordan and Saudi Arabia last November after undergoing a dental surgery.
“I just want to help out in any possible way for the national team.”
Thirdy, on the same note, also missed the previous window due to a knee contusion.
Now, he will be available to see action when Gilas battle Lebanon on Friday and Jordan on Saturday in the final window at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Kiefer said their sorry 81-84 loss to Lebanon in their previous meeting is enough to motivate them to go all out in front of their hometown crowd.
“I’m sure all of us are motivated and it would be more exciting playing in our home court,” Kiefer said.
“We just want to give our best.”
For Thirdy, assembling the best possible line up at a given situation is a lot more challenging for Gilas.
“We know that this is the best line up at a given situation, but we’re going to compete, that’s for sure,” Thirdy said.
“We’ll be counting on our home court advantage.”
