Kiefer puts NBA dreams aside – for now

Kiefer Ravena speaks during the send-off for the
Philippine 3x3 team. Richard Esguerra, ABS-CBN Sports

MANILA, Philippines – Kiefer Ravena's dreams of making it to the NBA will have to be put on hold, at least for now, as the former Ateneo de Manila University star is instead focusing his energies on helping the Philippine men's national basketball team.

Ravena spent a big chunk of 2016 and early 2017 in the United States, where he got a call up to be a practice player for the Texas Legends of the NBA D-League. Since then, he's had stints for Mighty Sports and Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League.

On Friday, he is set to fly to France together with Kobe Paras, Jeron Teng, and JR Quiñahan for the 2017 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Nantes. Upon his return, he will join Gilas Pilipinas for its practices ahead of the Southeast Asian Games and the FIBA Asia Cup in August.

Ravena's packed basketball schedule leaves little time for the two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player to chase his NBA dreams, and this is a trade-off that the "Phenom" is willing to make.

"Pag dito ako, committed ako dito sa ginagawa ko," Ravena said Wednesday during the send-off for the Philippine 3x3 national team. "Dito muna lang ako."

"I mean, it's a dream," he said of the NBA. "It's still ongoing, hindi ko siya ginive up. You just have to put things into perspective, and sometimes, you have to put things aside muna."

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