Dennis Gaviola

Yokohama guard Kiefer Ravena. (c) B.LEAGUE

Article (news)

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748170243210EMBED_photo_2190862.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Yokohama guard Kiefer Ravena. (c) B.LEAGUE"/>Yokohama guard Kiefer Ravena. (c) B.LEAGUE</div>MANILA — Kiefer Ravena is coming off another impressive year in the Japan B.League.The Yokohama B-Corsairs ace, who recently signed a one-year extension to stay in Japan, scattered 9.8 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 rebounds to help his squad finish with a 24-36 record in the 2024-25 season.But while Ravena, who is expecting his first child with his fiancée Diana Mackey, has been thriving in the Land of the Rising Sun, he can’t deny that the love and support of his fellow Filipinos are still unmatched.“The love of the Filipino crowd is different elsewhere in the world,” said the 2023-24 Division 2 Champion on Sunday at the sidelines of the B.League Finals Week event in Cubao.<div>“Nothing compares, and lagi nating sinasabi na para kang nasa Pilipinas kahit saan ka maglaro sa dami ng sumusuporta. I appreciate the crowd and the support throughout my career kahit ilang taon na nila akong hindi nakikitang naglalaro,” he added. <img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748169618556IMG_7055.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Kiefer Ravena with his fans during a Meet and Greet in Cubao, Quezon City, May 25, 2025. Photo from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News."/>Kiefer Ravena with his fans during a Meet and Greet in Cubao, Quezon City, May 25, 2025. Photo from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.The Ateneo de Manila University legend has been making waves in Japan since June 2021.</div>He previously left the PBA to become the second Filipino import in the B.League, only next to his younger brother Thirdy, but ‘The Phenom’s goal stays the same — to push the game to higher levels than when he first entered it.“I’m just doing my part in growing the game,” the former NLEX Road Warrior said. “Shineshare ko lang yung knowledge ko sa basketball.”“Kasi, at the end of the day, ang success naman is yung mga buhay na natulungan mo, at yung mga careers na natulungan mong maging successful. So hopefully, habang tumatanda ako, mas marami pa akong ma-inspire na mga bata whether dito sa Pilipinas or sa ibang bansa,” he added.After Kiefer, the likes of Carl Tamayo, Kai Sotto, Ray Parks Jr., Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, and more Filipinos also made their mark in Japan, with Tamayo even winning a Division 1 title in the previous season.However, despite being among the trailblazers of Filipino imports, Ravena does not discount the possibility of playing again on home soil for good.“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the PBA. Right now, short-lived yun dahil sa suspension, then the pandemic cut it short, and I had to focus on my career when Japan came in,” said Ravena, who also touched on the idea of playing in front of his child in the Philippines down the road.“It’s gonna mean a lot to me. Tignan natin, in the future, kung talagang magse-settle down na ako dito,” he added.But for now, his short-term goal is clear: Win another championship in the B.League, this time, in Division 1.“Who knows? One more year in Yokohama, then let’s see where basketball takes me,” he said. “Whether or not I come back here in the Philippines and play in the PBA once again, if my body can still play, or let’s see if another overseas opportunity opens, or stay in Japan.”<div>“I’ll just take it a year at a time now that I have one more year. Yun muna yung focus ko, magpa-kundisyon, at manalo pa ng championship sa Japan,” he added. RELATED VIDEO: <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/si93xBb3uZg?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></div>

Kiefer Ravena is coming off another impressive year in the Japan B.League.

Kiefer Ravena is coming off another impressive year in the Japan B.League.

Whether in Japan or PH, Ravena’s mission stays the same: move the game forward

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Whether in Japan or PH, Ravena’s mission stays the same: move the game forward

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 25, 2025 07:01 PM PHT

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