Young turks Ravena, Amer look forward to possible PBA stint

When Terry Saldaña made history by becoming the first high school player to play in the Philippine Basketball Association in 1982, Bong Ravena was still in high school — playing football and volleyball — and had yet to play competitive basketball. "Hindi pa ako nagsisimulang mag-basketball. Volleyball and football pa lang ang laro ko noon sa Western Visayas College Science and Technology," said Ravena. His son, Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo, wasn’t born yet. Nearly three decades later, the younger Ravena would become one of the nation’s best high school players, if not the best. Now, he and another high school standout, Baser Amer of San Beda, will get a chance to join Saldaña as the only other high school players to see action in the pro league if Smart Gilas’ application to play in the PBA is approved by the team owners and board governors in their meeting Tuesday at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. In a league where the men are separated from the boys, Ravena and Amer consider the opportunity as a big challenge — and early fulfillment of their dreams. “Siyempre honored po ako. Nag-uusap nga kami ni Baser eh and hindi po kami makapaniwala," said the younger Ravena. “I’m more than willing to play for Smart Gilas. Magandang training po ito sa amin dahil kalaban namin yung mga mama at mga idol namin." The names of Ravena and Amer cropped up as possible key additions to the Smart Gilas team of coach Rajko Toroman. The team is likely to be accepted as the 10th member in the PBA’s second conference in place of Barako Bull, which has asked the league to allow it to give up its spot in favor of the national developmental team. Barako Bull promised to return in the third conference. Britt Reroma, Amer's coach in the San Beda’s NCAA juniors champion squad, believes his ward and Ravena have what it takes to compete favorably against the best players in the pro ranks. “They have high basketball IQs, so I think they will be able to hold their own against the pros," said Reroma, one of the candidates for the head coaching position in the Philippine Youth basketball team. “Sabi nga sa akin ni Baser, hindi siya makapaniwala, but I told him to use this as an opportunity to learn from the best and enjoy every moment playing in the PBA." For Ravena, playing in the PBA would certainly be a dream come true, and it comes at an unexpected time. “Hindi ko akalain it would come early. I do hope matuloy na nga. This is a good opportunity for me to play against Tito Jimmy (Alapag), who is my idol," said Ravena. But while they’re also happy about the possibility of playing in the PBA, Ravena also expressed some concerns, particularly having to do with his new college team, the Ateneo Blue Eagles. Ravena has just joined the four-peat-seeking Eagles in the UAAP. The team will have a busy summer campaign, what with pre-season leagues such as the Fr. Martin’s Cup, the Nike Summer League, and the Filoil Flying V invitational. If Smart Gilas is accepted for the PBA's second conference, the squad will campaign for at least three months. “I just hope my schedule with Ateneo fits in with that of Smart Gilas. Mahirap, pero kakayanin," said Ravena. - KY, Rey Joble, GMANews.TV