Homecoming for Kiefer Ravena as he returns to NLEX
TWENTY-five years ago, Yeng Guiao, then coaching Swift Mighty Meaty Hotdog, had a chance of getting Bong Ravena from the Rookie Draft, but was beaten to the draw by Norman Black, head mentor of the San Miguel Beermen.
Fast forward 2017, Bong’s son, Kiefer Ravena, won’t slip out of Mr. Guiao’s grasp as NLEX continues its build up of forming a competitive team for the coming PBA season.
Mr. Guiao selected the best guard available in the Rookie Draft and picked the younger Ravena as second overall pick to join promising Kevin Alas in the Road Warriors backcourt.
The fiery bench tactician had a more cynical description on the Alas-Ravena backcourt combination.
“K and K tandem. They are the future of NLEX,” Mr. Guiao told Business World. “This is an exciting combination.”
With San Miguel locking in big man Christian Standhardinger as the top overall rookie pick and forming a massive front line combination for the Beermen once he teams up with reigning fourtime Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, the Road Warriors did the next best thing of loading up their backcourt, their best weapon in the PBA.
Selecting Mr. Ravena and teaming him up with Alas would probably create one of the best backcourt tandems in the history of the league.
It also means Mr. Ravena’s entry would create more problem in the guard-heavy rotation of the Road Warriors, a problem Mr. Guiao would gladly accept.
“I will find a way to mix the guards in the rotation. That’s a good problem for me,” said Mr. Guiao.
For the young Ravena, he feels excited on making a contribution to NLEX, a team which he helped win multiple championships in the D-League and more importantly use this as an opportunity to grow more as a player, especially now that he will be guided by Mr. Guiao, one of the best mentors in the PBA.
“I’m excited because we saw how NLEX made a good finish in the third conference and I hope to contribute to make the team better,” said Mr. Ravena.
“Also, it’s a good chance for me to grow and learn more under Coach Yeng.” —