Tim Cone adds Kiefer Ravena to Gilas pool for SEA Games

 

By WAYLON GALVEZ

Gilas Pilipinas mentor Tim Cone has added NLEX playmaker Kiefer Ravena to the national training pool preparing for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) got the approval from the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc).

The addition of Ravena came after the national team lost veteran guard Jayson Castro, who  was ruled out for two months due to an ankle injury.

“I believe the SBP has got him,” said Cone after Gilas’ tuneup game against SMB Alab-Pilipinas Monday night at the Meralco gym in Pasig City. “My understanding is that the SBP has approved.”

“Although if he makes the final 12, that’s another question,” said Cone.

Ravena has already won four gold medals with the national team in the SEA Games starting in 2011 as a rookie for the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the last in 2017 before he turned pro.

Ravena said he got a call from the Gilas management to report to practice. Though he did not play, Ravena said he was able to observe and absorb several plays.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to be called up even though nothing is final yet,” said Ravena. “I’m just hoping, trying to be added value to the team. Hopefully I can help the team.”

Gilas Pilipinas held on to beat Alab Pilipinas in the tuneup match 98-96.

PBA’s reigning five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo led the national team with 21 points, shooter Roger Pogoy added 15 points, while Stanley Pringle and Vic Manuel contributed 10 points apiece.

Despite the win, Cone was not impressed with Gilas’ performance, particularly on the defensive end.

“At times we were pretty and at times we were really ugly. The team we played was really talented, they’re really good,” said Cone.

“Our challenge at this point is to make sure we’re not an all-star team. We have to be more than that – a bunch of good players playing together. That’s what all-star teams are, bring a bunch of guys, they have limited practice, they go out and play. They don’t have any concept in terms of defense.”

That setup is unacceptable to Cone.

“We want to get beyond that. We don’t want to be an all-star team. We need to be better than that,” he said.

The national team will play ALAB again on Monday, and a pro team from Taiwan on November 18, less than two weeks before the SEA Games, which is set Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Source: Manila Bulletin