Ni Marivic Awitan
PINATUNAYAN ni Kiefer Ravena na karapat -dapat siya na maging second overall pick sa nakaraang Draft pagkaraan ng kanyang impresibong PBA debutpara sa koponan ng NLEX nitong Miyerkules sa 2018 PBA Philippine Cup sa Fil Oil Flying V Center sa San Juan City.
Noon pa man matapos ma-draft, pawang papuri ang bukang -bibig ni Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao para sa dating UAAP Most Valuable Player na si Ravena at hanggang matapos ang una nilang laro ay pawang paghanga ang meron ang mentor para sa kanyang rookie.
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“Kiefer played well for us, I had no doubt that he can make an impact and he can lead the team as a rookie and that’s exactly what he did,” ani Guiao, patungkol sa 6-foot guard na nagtapos na may 18-puntos, 12 assists, 7 rebounds at 2 steals sa kanilang 119-115 panalo kontra Kia Picanto..
“He’s going to be a very special player in this league.”
Sa tagal na rin niya sa kanyang propesyon, marami ng nakitang mahuhusay na guard si Guiao at inihahanay niya si Ravena sa mga ito.
Inihahalintulad pa niya ang second generation player kina Willie Miller at Paul Lee.
“Mahirap mag-isip ngayon pero maybe he’s a combination of some of those guys, a combination of Paul Lee and a Willie Miller,” ani Guiao.
“He’s able to create his own shots, he’s able to find his open teammates and that’s very good for the team because our style of play is really just finding the open guys,” phayag ni Guiao. “He’s smart enough to recognize that.”
Para kay Ravena, lahat ng kanyang ipinakita ay sa tulong at paggabay na rin ng kanyang multi-titled mentor.
“Nalalabas talaga ni Coach Yeng yung laro mo kahit rookie ka,” wika ni Ravena. “The most important thing is you follow his system and trust your team. Yung mga practices at tune-ups namin, lagi niya ko hinahatak to make the adjustments that I need.”
