By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Kiefer Ravena hopes to be part of the 12-man Gilas Pilipinas team that will compete in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the country next month.

According to the Iloilo City-native guard, donning the Gilas Pilipinas jersey for the prestigious event in front of the Filipino fans is something he can consider as a highlight of his basketball career.

“I’m just cherishing the moment. This is a story that I’ll gladly tell my kids and grandkids in the future that I was able to represent the country on our home soil,” he said in an interview with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

The former NLEX Road Warriors guard said it has become a habit for him to don the Gilas colors since he first represented the country in a Milo tournament in Las Vegas.

“If I’m not mistaken, 13 years old ako noon. It was the first time to really represent the country together with the Milo Best team. It was in Las Vegas, if [I] remember it correctly,” Ravena said.

“It was always something that I will always treasure na it opened the doors on how important to me the national team is, and how honored I am for it to be part of my career,” he added.

Since then, the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles star has represented the Philippines several times, including in the Southeast Asian Games, FIBA Asia Cup and the FIBA World Cup in 2019.

Ravena, who is currently playing as an Asian import for Shiga Lakes in Japan B.League, is also aware of the bashing from the netizens regarding his constant Gilas Pilipinas call up, but he refused to be affected.

“The sacrifice for me is the easy part,” Ravena said, pertaining to the constant bashing on him on social media.

“For me, playing for the flag is a privilege and a blessing,” he said.

“Nandito ka sa ibang bansa. Natuto ka sa career mo, individually and as a team. Nakakapaglaro ka pa ng sport na mahal mo, suot mo pa ‘yung bansa mo. Sobrang blessed pa rin namin na nandito kami sa sitwasyon na ganito,” he added./ASC, WDJ