Castro wants to learn from Ravena at Gilas

MANILA, Philippiens – Jayson Castro is expected to guide and mentor Kiefer Ravena, the young star out of Ateneo, for a proverbial changing of the guard in the future at national team Gilas Pilipinas. But that doesn’t mean Ravena can’t teach the veteran guard as well. 

Castro, 29, is looking forward to learning from the back-to-back UAAP MVP, who is set to join the PBA draft this year.

“Marami rin kami matututunan sa kanya, yung mga moves niya. Marami siyang moves na gustong gusto ko,” said Castro, the Gilas star guard named to FIBA Asia’s Mythical 5 in 2013 and 2015, one Monday night at national team practice. 

“Nagpra-practice siya sa Talk ’N Text, kina-copy ko yung moves niya.” (We can learn a lot from him as well, like his moves. He has plenty of moves that I like. He practices with Talk ‘N Text and I copy his moves.)

Ravena, 22, was invited by head coach Tab Baldwin to Gilas Pilipinas’ weekly practices in late November, just 9 days after he wrapped up his collegiate career with the Blue Eagles. 

Ravena will serve as an extra body for the national team pool comprised of pro players training for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July. 

“I’m very happy for him because he’s with Gilas even if he’s still very young, but his game is really fit for international play. At least he can help Gilas too,” Castro said of Ravena in Filipino.

Castro shared he watched Ravena’s UAAP games this past Season 78, where Ateneo bowed out in the Final Four against eventual champion FEU. 

Ravena, who dreams of someday becoming a Gilas Pilipinas member, has long been a part of the cadet pool and won 3 gold medals at the SEA Games, including one with Baldwin in 2015 on top of another gold in the 2015 SEABA Championship. 

To prepare not only for his future with Gilas but for his pro debut as well, Ravena is eager to take pointers from other guards on the team – from LA Tenorio, Terrence Romeo, Paul Lee, and, of course, Castro.

“Maybe with his maturity because I can see his game in terms of decision-making, he still gets lost sometimes, ” Castro shared how he could guide Ravena. “On defense he’s good at it. That’s it probably because he’s got everything.” – Rappler.com