Kiefer return
ALREADY set to rejoin the Philippine team, Kiefer Ravena is also looking to reunite with his mother ballclub in the PBA.
The 28-year-old Ravena, an import for the Shiga Lakestars in the B.League, plans to suit up for the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Philippine Cup before returning to Japan.
"That's the plan," Ravena said in an exclusive interview with SPIN.ph.
It remains uncertain how things will pan out, with Ravena expected to be sign a new contract in Japan, but the PBA seems to have been informed of the plans.
"Alam ko gusto nyang maglaro muna dito," PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said, before qualifying his answer, "that is, kung hindi nagbago, kasi may offer rin sa kanyang bago [sa Japan]."
PBA Draft update
“Malamang, walang Gilas draft.”
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said league officials and the national basketball federation are working on a new plan for players in the Philippines’ top pro league to see action for Gilas.
Under the new plan, all players who are drafted and signed to contracts by the pro teams can see action right away in the PBA until called up by the national squad.
Previously, the players taken in the special round could not sign with the teams that picked them until they are released by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
“Nag-uusap pa rin kami ng SBP. Kausap ko nga rin si Coach Chot kanina," said Marcial.
“Kapag walang practice ang Gilas, puwedeng maglaro sa mother team. Tapos ‘yung kontrata, sa mother team na rin.”
The PBA Draft is set on May 15.
It’s UP vs Ateneo in title series
CARL Tamayo came up with the big plays down the stretch as University of the Philippines rallied past La Salle, 78-74, to advance to the finals of the UAAP Season 84 basketball tournament.
The Gilas Pilipinas forward scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter as the twice-to-beat Fighting Maroons got back at the Archers. La Salle on Wednesday forced the semis rubber with an 83-80 victory.
Third-seeded La Salle looked on the way to completing the upset of No. 2 UP, leading 70-56 lead with over seven minutes to play.
Malick Diouf had 14 points, 17 boards, four steals and two blocks for UP, which faces top seed Ateneo in the best-of-three title series.
Game One is set on Sunday.
Deschon Winston scored 26 for LaSalle, while Mark Nonoy added 14. Justine Baltazar had nine points in his final game in the UAAP.
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