KIEFER Ravena wants to follow the path taken by younger brother Thirdy and bring his act to Japan.
Ravena was signed in the B. League as an Asian import by Shiga Lakestars, the team announced yesterday.
“We are very pleased to announce that we have signed a new player for the 2021-22 Season with Kiefer Ravena,” Shiga Lakestars said on its Facebook account.
“Ravena will be registered as the Asian Player Quotas.”
There’s a fly in the ointment, however.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcia thumbed down Ravena’s decision to link up with the Japanese team, saying it is not allowed under pro league rules. Add to that the fact that the NLEX star inked a three-year contract extension with the Road Warriors last year, meaning playing elsewhere would be deemed a breach of contract.
As of press time yesterday, Kiefer has yet to react to the pro league stand. NLEX officials, meanwhile, have yet to comment on Kiefer’s decision.
Winding up with a 23-36 card for 13th and failing to advance to the playoffs last season, Shiga Lakestars noted the Gilas Pilipinas skipper’s leadership savvy and experience playing internationally will be a big boost to the squad.
“Ravena has taken a role as a captain of the Philippines national team and has participated in all five games in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China,” the team said.
“With over 1 million SNS followers, he is an extremely popular athlete especially in the Philippines, and San-En NeoPhoenix’s Thirdy Ravena is his younger brother.”
A former two-time UAAP MVP and “King Eagle,” the 6-foot-2 Ravena led NLEX with 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in last year’s PBA Philippine Cup bubble in Clark.
The Yeng Guiao-mentored Road Warriors finished with a 5-6 record for ninth.
The oldest son of former TNT coach Bong and former volleyball star Mozzy, Ravena was the No. 2 pick overall of NLEX in the PBA draft in 2017.
He also tried to hack it and make it to the NBA by suiting up as a practice player for the Texas Legends in the NBA G League in 2016.
The Shiga Lakestars is pinning its hopes on Ravena to do wonders for the team.
“In May of this year, Ravena signed a personal sponsorship contract with Jordan Brand (Nike) for the first time as an athlete from the Philippines,” Shiga Lakestars said.
“Please look forward to Ravena’s success in B. League Japan, as well as being a connection bridge between Shiga Prefecture, Japan and Philippines.”
Thirdy, also a former Blue Eagles standout who became the first Filipino and Asian to sign up in Japan under the Asian Player Quotas in June last year, is looking forward to facing his older brother next season.
“See you next season brodie,” Thirdy said on Twitter.
