Kiefer Ravena can count his blessings.
That’s because the 25-year-old finally saw action when Gilas Pilipinas battled the Australian club Adelaide 36ers in their second tuneup game that was being played as we went to press yesterday evening.
Ravena’s FIBA suspension ended on Saturday, 18 months after he was punished for taking a pre-workout drink which contained banned substances.
Because of this, Ravena can join in all FIBA-sanctioned basketball activities, as he finally played his first official game.
“I’m in good terms with everyone (with Gilas teammates). I’m blessed to be part of a program na nagbibigay pa rin sa iyo ng chance despite being suspended for a year and a half.
That matchup comes with Ravena celebrating his birthday, and with coach Yeng Guiao set to make a final decision on the team’s final composition.
In their first tuneup game, the 36ers rallied from and claimed a 92-83 triumph over Gilas last Friday at the Meralco gym.
The games serve as Gilas Pilipinas’ preparation for the coming FIBA World Cup,
The 15-man Gilas Pilipinas pool is on its final phase of preparation, with less than two weeks to go before the start of the 2019 Fiba World Cup in China.
And Team Pilipinas will be meet 32 of the best teams in the world.
The national pool welcomed the addition of Robert Bolick Jr. and CJ Perez in their tuneup game in Spain recently.