Kiefer leads Gilas drive in Kiwi land

NO PBA players, no naturalized player.

But Gilas Pilipinas coach Nenad Vučinić is not lacking in able players, led by veteran skipper Kiefer Ravena who leads the youth-laden team in the third window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers in New Zealand.

“There are also other players that step up in the leadership department, guys like SJ (Belangel). Also, there are guys that are not vocal, but they lead by example, by commitment, (and) by trying to execute,” Vučinić was quoted as saying in the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas website.

“So, you have to have one leader, one that is responsible for what’s happening to the team, and for this month, it’s Kiefer (Ravena),” he added.

The Filipino cagers arrived yesterday in New Zealand for their duel with the Tall Blacks tomorrow at the Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland.

Gilas battles India on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay in a virtually no-bearing window since it already has a slot in the World Cup next year as co-hosts with Japan and Indonesia.

Aside from Ravena, also making up the squad are Dwight Ramos, RJ Abarrientos, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu, Dave Ildefonso, LeBron Lopez, William Navarro, Carl Tamayo, and newcomers Rhenz Abando and Kevin Quiambao.

The nationals are set to do battle without 6-foot-10 naturalized center Ange Kouame (partially torn ACL and sprained meniscus).

Gilas is aching to rebound from its 63-88 loss to New Zealand in the second window last February.

The 11-man roster would also likely compose the core of Gilas in the FIBA Asia Cup set from July 12 to 24 in Indonesia.

The likes of Kai Sotto, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., and Ricci Rivero are reportedly being eyed as a possible additions to the team for the Asian tilt.