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Ravena Brothers back in practice together for Gilas

Deprived of a chance to play with his older brother one last time, Thirdy Ravena has continued his family's legacy with Ateneo. Dennis Acosta (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG--Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena were deprived of a chance to play together one more time for Ateneo during the former's final playing year when the latter was cut from the lineup due to academic matters.

But on the Monday night, they were on the same floor practicing together again, this time for Gilas.

"[It's] something new again. Probably four or five years in the making to be practicing with him like a legit practice not just a pick-up game or something. It is nice, it is great to be with family especially playing the game that we love," said Kiefer.

"Well of course, it is such a blessing lalo na yung last chance na pwede kami makapag-sama sa isang team hindi nangyari kasi I have to sit out my second year. Pero ngayon, nabigyan ulit kami ng chance and of course, may nagtuturo sa akin kahit sa loob ng court," said the younger Thirdy.

But being brothers, being in the national team training together is just another day in the office for them
Kiefer Ravena has become NLEX's newest spark plug. PBA Media Bureau (file photo)
"I practice and work out with him all the time. It is nothing new, it is nothing—walang nagbago na feeling," the younger Ravena continued.

The Ravena Brothers, assuming they peak perfectly, are among the favorites to land spots in the Gilas team to the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and both look to it as an inspiration to do well in practice.

"It is [a] motivation din: Why not make it me and my brother sa isang team ulit?" Thirdy added. "It is such a great feeling na at least get a chance to be on a team again."

"Maybe five or six years in the making but it will be definitely worth the wait for the two of us if ever we make it," added Kiefer. "I haven’t recalled if there were a brother tandem for the national team, correct me if I’m wrong, but it is something we want to achieve. It is something we want to make it happen hopefully."

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno