RAFI Reavis is trying out for a spot in a couple of PBA teams, insisting that retirement is very much far from his mind.
The 48-year-old was recently spotted watching Converge’s tune-up games against Rain or Shine last Saturday, and Meralco last Thursday at the Gatorade Hoops Center.
In an interview with SPIN.ph, Reavis confirmed that he is vying for a spot with Converge, as well as a few more teams which reached out to him following his release from a Magnolia team that was his home for 16 years.
READ Rafi Reavis' 15-season stay with Magnolia comes to an end
“Converge, they invited me over to check out the practice, check out the tune-up games,” said Reavis after Converge's tune-up game against Meralco on Thursday. “They just want me to see how they do things over here. They’ve shown a lot of interest in me joining their squad. And I really appreciate that. We’ll see.”
Trying out for Converge is an indication that retirement is out of the question for Reavis, whose professional basketball career dates back to the San Juan Knights in 2000 during the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association.
He started his PBA career in 2002 when he was drafted No. 2 by Coca-Cola - a team he played for until 2006 when he moved to Barangay Ginebra.
It was with Magnolia where Reavis spent the longest, his 15-year stint with the Hotshots coming to an end this offseason when he was released. But Reavis plans to continue playing, believing that he still has a lot to contribute to any team that chooses to sign him, being a veteran presence.
“I’m still very much available, and no injuries,” said Reavis, an 11-time PBA champion. “I can still run, can still defend, and my brain still works which is important. I know I can help a team just reach higher heights. And this (Converge) is one of the teams that have been showing a lot of interest.”
“They just want me to come, see how they run things, just see how they do things here, that’s why they’ve been inviting me over to watch the practice games, see some of the practices… I’m just been appreciating the interest they’ve shown in me,” said Reavis.
Reavis’ final game with the Hotshots wasn’t a fairy tale ending as he gave up a foul against Kelly Williams that led to two free throws that enabled TNT to oust twice-to-beat Magnolia at the quarterfinal stage.
Reavis says thanks to Magnolia
Even after his release from Magnolia, Reavis said he will forever cherish his time with the Hotshots where he was able to build relationships with players, coaches, and staff. He showed how special the organization is to him by visiting their first practice for the 50th season, and wishing them all the best for their upcoming campaign.
“So I went by and saw them in their very first practice because I didn’t want to just walk away from that organization without saying thank you and saying also thank you to the players, the management, just keeping it professional and thanking them for everything,” said Reavis, who won seven championships with the Hotshots.
“I think my heart will always be with that organization. I mean, 16 years, you just don’t sweep that under the rug. So we’ll always have some sort of chemistry. There’s always some sort of bond that will remain with myself and that organization,” said Reavis.
Now looking for teams, Reavis said he can contribute not just by playing but also with a little bit of coaching, albeit in an unofficial capacity, with Magnolia where he has been seen standing up as if he’s a member of the Hotshots coaching staff.
“No coaching yet (but) I can still do that as a player. I’ve been doing that at Magnolia. The guys on the bench are like, ‘Kap, sit down.’ So if I see an avenue or a lane where I can help, it’s hard for me to sit down and not do that.
"That’s just my personality. That’s my character. It’s just always trying to help. And I think I’ve gained a lot of that through my experience. That way, I can help the younger guys that have not been there yet. But yeah, no coaching yet. But it’s on the horizon."
While he intends to continue playing, Reavis also acknowledges that his time as a player will soon be ending, and he is the kind of person that knows when his time is up.
“I still have that athleticism, I can still move, I’m still strong. I’m still smart, I can still play this game. So while I have those abilities, I just don’t want to leave the game yet because I still have some work to do. And I’m not also one of those who are going to just keep trying to play when I know I cannot play anymore, cannot keep up.”
“I’ll know when it’s time. But it’s not now,” Reavis said.
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