Kiefer Ravena joins Shiga Lakestars

Kiefer Ravena is set to join his brother in Japan. Dennis Acosta (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Just a day after the 2020-21 B.League season came to a close, a Japanese side dropped a huge transfer bomb to start the countdown to the 2021-22 season.

The Shiga Lakestars announced on Wednesday that they just signed Kiefer Ravena through the Asian player quota.

The six-foot combo guard became the second Filipino to be signed to a B.League club, following his younger brother Thirdy, who played last season for the San-En NeoPhoenix.

San-En recently re-signed Thirdy Ravena for at least two more seasons.

Like the NeoPhoenix, the Lakestars missed last season's playoffs, only winning 23 games during the regular season.

Help has arrived for Shiga in Kiefer Ravena, who averaged 19.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.0 steal per game last season with NLEX in the PBA.

"We look forward to Ravena's success in B.League Japan, as well as being a connection bridge between Shiga Prefecture, Japan and Philippines," the Lakestars said in a statement.

Shiga is actually on a rebuild as a new head coach comes in through Spanish gaffer Luis Guil Torres.

Both Ravena and Torres will be formally introduced on Monday in a press conference.

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