LIKE most everyone else, Alyssa Valdez was both glad and relieved to see Kiefer Ravena doing what he loves the most.
The volleyball superstar was a proud girlfriend on the bleachers as Ravena finally hit the court on Monday after gaining clearance to practice near the end of a Fiba-imposed doping suspension.
"Everyone, ako lalo na, really waited for him to be back playing basketball. He was trying to play golf after that suspension but I'm really happy. Kahit ako nao-overwhelm sa feeling na nakakapaglaro na ulit siya. I'm really just proud of him," she said.
Valdez stood by Ravena every step of the way since Fiba imposed an 18-month ban after tested positive for three banned substances from a pre-workout drink, keeping him out of action for over a year.
And for her to see the NLEX guard be able to join his national team peers once again, it's just a feeling like no other.
"Actually, nakaka-miss panoorin talaga si Kiefer," she said. "Iba yung presence na nadadala niya inside the basketball court. Mahirap ang pinagdaanan niya talaga, but he was able to surpass it at grateful ako na nakakapaglaro na ulit siya.
"It's so nice and refreshing na makita siya playing with Gilas ulit."
With Valdez seeing first hand how hard Ravena has worked to get to this point, she believes that her partner will do everything in his power to show that he truly deserves this call-up.
"Kita naman natin na very excited siya and he really wanted to be part of the national team," she said. "He really trained and waited for this day. He gave his 100-percent not only because he's asked to, but he also wanted to show everyone that he's ready. Coach Yeng's not wrong in his decision in making him part of the pool."
"Iba pa rin talaga pag nakikita mo yung Kiefer Ravena representing our country."
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