FOR now, former Ateneo point guard Kiefer Ravena is still not keen on moving up to the professional ranks.
His stint for Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team in the 2017 William Jones Cup and the coming Southeast Asian Games is on his mind.
And this will be his main focus in the next two months.
“‘Yung sa pagiging pro, set aside ko muna, specially with 2 or 3 major tournaments coming up. Now it’s time to prepare for the Jones Cup,” said Ravena.
Ravena talked about his commitments last Wednesday during the team’s sendoff at the Bar One restaurant of Crowne Hotel in Ortigas.
He said he expects a decision on the next stage of his career when his stint with Gilas this year is finished.
Ravena was in the company of top Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas officials, led by SBP vice chairman Robbie Puno and Butch Antonio, and assistant coach Josh Reyes, along with members of the team.
They were joined by the team’s major sponsor, Chooks to Go, with president Ronald Mascarinas gracing the event.
Gilas’ coming stint is expected to be tough.
Reyes said the presence of Canada and Lithuania in the weeklong meet makes it so.
This could be strongest team that will be fielded in the competition after Mighty Sports-Philippines won it last year.
The team is bannered by Blackwater’s Mac Belo, who is back after suffering a meniscus tear on his left knee that required surgery.
He joins fellow Gilas cadets Matthew Wright, RR Pogoy, Mike Tolomia and Carl Bryan Cruz in the cagefest.