EXPECT no brotherly love when the teams of Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena clash this weekend as the new season of the Japan B. League gets going.
“Definitely, very excited for the home game playing against my brother,” Thirdy Ravena, set to suit up in his second year with San-En NeoPhoenix, said.
Making his debut for Shiga, Kiefer Ravena said he and his younger brother bring out the best in each other.
“As brothers, we know we bring out the best in one another,” Kiefer said. “Hope we can do that and provide our team the need for us to win.”
The Lakestars have announced tickets for the match between Shiga and San-En NeoPhoenix at the 4,896-seater Ukaruchan Arena will be free to Filipinos.
“Attention, invite Filipinos to home games for free,” the Lakestars said in a statement. “All Filipinos who are invited will enter for free on the opening game.”
Aside from the Ravena brothers, Dwight Ramos of Toyama, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. of Nagoya, Kobe Paras of Niigata Albirex BB, Juan Gomez de Liaño of Tokyo Z, Javi Gomez de Liaño of Ibakari, and Kenmark Carino of Aomori are the other Filipino cagers set to see action as Asian imports in the Japan league.
Thirdy Ravena was the first Filipino to play in the Japan league last year for San-En NeoPhoenix.
Kiefer Ravena vowed to bring his A-Game for Shiga.
“Definitely, I’ll be doing my best for my team to come out on top,” Kiefer Ravena said.
An ace guard for NLEX, Ravena, 27, linked up with the Lakestars last June but was initially not allowed by the PBA to bring his act overseas.
After a change of heart from the PBA, Ravena was given the green light to suit up for the squad under some conditions.
Under the agreement, Ravena will only play for one season in Japan.
San-En NeoPhoenix finished with a 12-47 record last season, while the Shiga had a 23-36 card.
