GETTING together in Los Angeles, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and amateur star Kiefer Ravena deemed it best to spend their time playing basketball.
The two shared the court on Friday night (Saturday, Manila time) at Franklin High here as Pacquiao wrapped up his short press tour for his November 5 World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title match against reigning champion Jessie Vargas.
Ravena wanted to sweat it out and what better way to do it than joining the Pacman in a pickup game.
The two-time UAAP MVP out of Ateneo said playing alongside Pacquiao was a ‘good experience.’
“It’s always fun playing with him. It’s always something to look forward to playing with the champ,” said the 22-year-old pride of Iloilo and eldest son of former PBA player and now Tropang TNT deputy coach Bong Ravena.
The young Ravena has been in the US for quite some time now following a short stint in the Drew League. He plans to stay here for a couple more weeks.
Ravena was later invited by Pacquiao to visit him in his mansion at Hancock Park.
Asked if Pacquiao tried to lure him to join him at PBA team Mahindra, where the eight-time world division champion serves as playing-coach, the many-time national team member replied in the negative.
“Actually, not really,” said Ravena. “It’s gonna take a while (for me to join the PBA).”
He’s not closing the door, however, on the possibility of playing for the Enforcer in the future.
“We’ll see. You’ll never know,” said the young Ravena.
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