KIEFER Ravena has not been remiss in keeping himself in shape prior to finally making his highly-awaited basketball comeback.
Bong Ravena disclosed his son went through rigid traiing under the supervision of a strength and conditioning coach while he was in the US, just work himself back into shape.
The younger Ravena travelled to the US twice this year and arrived on Thursday morning in time for his first-ever basketball scrimmage in more than a year since being suspended by FIBA after being testing positive for a banned substance.
Since he isn’t allowed to play basketball, Ravena was more into weight training, running and golf.
“He lifted weights para makundisyon kasi medyo nag-gain siya after ng holiday season,” said the elder Ravena, the current TnT Katropa coach. “Pero dahil bawal siyang mag-basketball, ganun lang mostly ang ginawa niya doon (US). Pakundisyon talaga,”
But while he may look buff, the timing and rhythm are obviously not going to be there, according to Ravena’s father. At least not yet.
“Hindi naman kasi problema yung getting fit, getting in shape,” he said. “Ang worry ko is yung game shape. Siyempre iba yung nasasanay ka sa mismong scrimmage.
“Kundisyon ka lang pero hindi ka naman sanay maglaro ng 5-on-5.”
That’s the reason why Bong welcomed Kiefer joining Gilas Pilipinas in its twice-a-week practice in preparation for the FIBA World Cup starting Monday and then begin training again with the NLEX Road Warriors the following day.
“Malaking bagay yun para makuha niya na ulit yung playing form niya pag balik niya full-time by August,” said the TnT mentor.
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