WHILE his PBA comeback is in limbo due to a contract impasse with NLEX, Kiefer Ravena will strut his stuff for Gilas Pilipinas in the meantime.
Mr. Ravena was among the 12 players tapped by coach Nenad Vučinić for the Nationals’ scheduled friendlies against South Korea on June 17 and 18 at the Anyang Gymnasium in Gyeonggi-do.
Along with fellow Japan B.League veteran Dwight Ramos, the 28-year-old Mr. Ravena will lend leadership to the relatively young crew of RJ Abarrientos, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu, Dave Ildefonso, Ange Kouame, Lebron Lopez, Will Navarro, Carl Tamayo, Rhenz Abando, and Kevin Quiambao.
The matches in South Korea will serve as part of Gilas’ preparations for the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers set on June 30 against New Zealand and on July 3 against India.
This stint will also provide competitive action for Mr. Ravena, who has been unable to play for the Road Warriors as yet in the one-week-old Philippine Cup.
Mr. Ravena and management still have to agree on a new contract after his Japan stint, with the playmaker seeking a one-conference deal while NLEX is trying to sign him for a full season. — Olmin Leyba