NO long-distance relationship was ever easy, let alone two at the same time.
Japan-based Kiefer Ravena has two of the most important persons in his life miles away from him in brother Thirdy in Dubai and his fiancé Diana Mackey soaring the airs as a flight attendant.
READ: Kiefer Ravena gets engaged to beauty queen Diana Mackey
The Yokohama B-Corsairs’ own Filipino import in the Japan B.League took the time to reflect on how pivotal chapters in his and his family’s live have written themselves over the past few months alone.
To happily every after
His engagement to Mackey last October wasn’t just Ravena wiping the slate clean.
It was a matter of seeing the stars align for him to take his life’s biggest leap yet while holding on to a new sense of purpose.
“[This is the] next chapter of my life. More than anything else, siguro it’s the right timing, right person. Sabi ko rin sa sarili ko na I think I needed a different sense of motivation, of inspiration in my career. This is it,” said Ravena.
“My family’s very supportive. [Diana’s] family’s very supportive. We’re just focusing on us more than anything else.”
At least for now, with hectic schedules apart from each other, the wedding bells won’t be ringing just yet.
“Wedding plans, wala pa. Very surface level pa lang. Hindi pa talaga namin napag-uusapan since kakabalik pa lang namin sa Japan and medyo nag-sisink-in pa rin ‘yung [engagement].
Ravena added: “We’re enjoying each day and all the responsibilities. Babalik ako [sa Japan], siya babalik na rin sa work, and that’s a whole new different challenge in itself.”
Blazing new career paths
Both Kiefer and his older brother Thirdy dealt with re-directions in their overseas basketball careers back in July, albeit one farther than the other.
Kiefer left his former Japan B.League club Shiga Lakes in what he described as ‘a move for myself.’
Then came Thirdy’s game-changing move to the European North Basketball League with Dubai Basketball Club, becoming the club’s first Filipino import after years of being Japan’s first Asian quote player.
While concerns on Thirdy’s lack of game time in Dubai have surfaced, Kiefer isn’t worried one bit as the experience of being there will only make his ‘kuya’ as good a player as can be.
“Ako, nakakausap ko pa rin si Thirdy. Proud ako sa kanya. He’s going almost how many months na rin sa Dubai.
Ravena added, “'Yung experience niya is going to make him a better player, whether or not he’s playing. It’s being around those level of players, day in and day out in practices, learning from them.
“[Thirdy will] just be a sponge to learn everything na kakailanganin niya in his future career.”
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