KIEFER Ravena won't be going with Gilas Pilipinas for its two away games in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The veteran guard underwent an emergency dental procedure for an impacted wisdom tooth and begged off from joining the team as it leaves for Amman, Jordan on Monday night.
[READ: Scottie, CJ, Japeth, Oftana make Gilas 13-man team]
Bong Ravena, father of the national team stalwart and deputy coach at TNT, confirmed the development.
"Sobrang sakit. Di niya na kinaya," said the elder Ravena.
The dental procedure was done on Monday afternoon, keeping Ravena from the national team's final practice before leaving for the Middle East.
The 29-year-old Ravena was one of four players from the Japan B.League who arrived in the country last week to join the Gilas Pilipinas pool in its training for games against Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
But a few hours before the national team was scheduled to depart, Ravena began to feel a terrible toothache, his dad said.
"Bale dalawang ipin yung kailangang tanggalin," said Bong Ravena, "So after lunch, he decided to have the procedure."
The elder Ravena though, wasn't certain when his son began feeling the pain on both teeth.
The national team is set to play Jordan in Amman on November 10 and then travel to Jeddah for its Nov. 13 game against Saudi Arabia.
The Philippines currently sits at third to fourth place in Group E with an even 3-3 record.
New Zealand is on top with a perfect 6-0 record, followed by Lebanon at 5-1. Saudi Arabia is second to the last at 1-5 while India brings up the rear with a 0-6 slate.
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