Ravena hopes Pinoy players can continue to show their edge in B.League

MANILA, June 7 ------ Kiefer Ravena is challenging the up-and-coming generation of Filipino basketball players to show what they are made of amidst greater competition for spots in international leagues. Ravena has been plying his trade in Japan's B.League since 2021, and he has seen how Filipino players have made their mark there. However, he is also aware that they will soon have even more competition for roster spots as the B.League continues to expand its Asian Quota System to other countries. "I think the B-League is headed in the direction wherein even Middle East, East Asia is opening their doors as Asian quota players," Ravena recently told reporters. "So lumiliit na din yung opportunity na ng lahat, 'di ba?" he pointed out.

The B.League had introduced its Asian Quota System for the 2020-21 season; Ravena's younger brother, Thirdy, became a trailblazer as he is the first Filipino to sign with a B.League team in San-En. Soon, other Filipino players followed. For its 2024-25 season, the B.League expanded its quota system to include players from East Asia (China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, South Korea, Macau, Mongolia) and South Asia (India). More Southeast Asian players were also welcomed: aside from Filipinos, the B.League now accepts players from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. "We have to be on our toes," said Ravena, who currently plays for the Yokohama B-Corsairs. "Kailangan, pakita namin yung edge naming and just focus on that. Ipakita namin yung kaya namin ipakita sa laro."

While he and players such as Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks Jr. and Matthew Wright already know how the league functions, Ravena notes that young Filipino cagers who hope to play in Japan or in any other foreign league will have to learn quickly. "I hope they learn a few things with their kuyas playing in the B-League right now," he said. "The thing is, you know playing internationally, playing overseas, there's just so much more than talent," Ravena explained. "Talent overflows with the Filipinos, especially the next generation of basketball players." "But the mental toughness, being able to play when things don't go your way, and being able to be resilient in times of you know, hardships, missing family, missing loved ones, missing occasions, that's when you really show if you're really built to play overseas. So, I hope they learn that as soon as possible." "But then again, you only learn that once you immerse yourself overseas and play there. So they just have to build up the courage, find that in them, and try it out to achieve their dreams." he added.

Ravena, who signed an extension with Yokohama earlier this month, is also included in the league's "B.League United" pool, which was formed as part of the B.League's goal of "producing five NBA players by 2030." "It's a great program. It's a great step for the B-League as they always try to improve and grow the game and expand the game globally," said Ravena. "[I'm] thankful to the B-League for considering us. We threw in our names there just to be able to see, to get a chance to be in," he added. "I think this will be the first one, diba? So, that's another way to be part of history."

Source: news.abs-cbn.com