ANTIPOLO CITY — Kiefer Ravena will likely be part of Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers and the FIBA Asia Cup as contract negotiations with NLEX have yet to make significant progress.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes said plans remain on having Ravena for the Asian Qualifiers slated later this month and the continental competition which Indonesia will host in July.
“As of now, yeah that’s the plan,” Reyes told reporters who made queries about the announcement of the 12-man roster for the two friendly matches against South Korea later this week.
Ravena and the Road Warriors management are still in the process of trying to find the middle ground, further delaying the possibility that the Shiga Lakestars guard will make a quick PBA return.
Ravena is seeking a one conference contract before heading back to Japan and sign a new deal with the Lakestars.
But NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said it made a counteroffer, asking Ravena if he can play for the whole duration of the 47th season.
As the impasse continues, Gilas said it was given the go-signal by the PBA to let Ravena play.
“When we cleared with the PBA, sabi nila OK. So we included him in the lineup. I don’t really know how the situation is (with NLEX),” Reyes said.
Ravena will be joined by Dwight Ramos, who also has B.League experience under his belt, in the 12-man lineup that has mostly players from the UAAP and NCAA.
Among the prominent names are University of the Philippines’ Carl Tamayo, Ateneo’s naturalized player Ange Kouame, Far Eastern University’s RJ Abarrientos and Letran’s Rhenz Abando.