FULL-FORCE was the Ravena family on Sunday as its eldest Kiefer marked his on-court return in Gilas Pilipinas' tuneup game against Adelaide.
"Nagpapasalamat lang kami na nakabalik siya at tapos na yung suspension niya," said TNT coach Bong Ravena, who was a portrait of a proud father as he watched from the sidelines.
It sure brought back memories for the 1992 Rookie of the Year as he felt the same feeling to the first time he saw his eldest son pick up the leather.
"Just watching him playing again, blessing na yun sa amin. Hopefully, makakatulong siya sa Gilas," said the Ravena patriarch.
For Mozzy Ravena, the feeling could equate to that of Kiefer's first PBA game with NLEX as the whole family was once again on hand seeing the two-time UAAP MVP realize his dreams.
"Ganun ulit, parang first game ulit. Pero siguro mas meaningful lang now kasi nga ang hirap ng ng pinagdaanan niya, 500-plus days din yun," said the Spiker's Turf tournament director.
"Nakikita ko yung happiness niya na nakabalik na siya, although syempre managed yung expectations pa rin."
Kiefer hardly looked like someone who was kept on the shelf for the better part of the past 15 months, pouring 11 points, two rebounds, and one steal in 17 minutes of action for the national team.
But that performance was hardly a surprise for his younger brother Thirdy, who saw his kuya work his way back into shape throughout that ban.
"Feel ko naman kundisyon pa rin siya ngayon," he said.
"Ang saya lang na makita siya na parang nakawala siya. Parang free na ulit siya and he’s back to playing the sport that he loves in front of people and the people that support him and the people that love him. So I’m just happy for him."
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