Kiefer Ravena joins forces with WNBL as newest ambassador

The Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) revealed basketball phenom Kiefer Ravena as its newest ambassador on Monday, October 12. 

“Gusto ko magkaroon ng impact sa pagiging ambassador ko and promote gender equality with the sport,” said Ravena, who has been a long-time women’s basketball fan.

(I want to be impactful on being an ambassador and promote gender equality with the sport.)

“Sina Allana [Lim] and coach Ewon [Arayi], I’ve built a relationship with them, lagi ko sila pinapanood, and I believe that it’s just as entertaining as men’s basketball.”

(I’ve built a relationship with Allana Lim and coach Ewon Arayi since I’ve been watching their games, and I believe that it’s just as entertaining as men’s basketball.)

“So now I’m part of the WNBL, and as an ambassador, I have to represent the league in the highest form.”

Ravena joins former Lady Maroon Bea Daez-Fabros in promoting the first Philippine women’s basketball professional league, which will pave the way for young girls to make the sport a career. 

“I believe in its potential – hopefully, not only ‘yung mga bata na gustong mag-PBA ang mag-idol sa ‘yo, pati na rin mga Pinay ballers na bata pa lang, nangangarap na silang makapasok sa WNBL,” added Ravena. 

(I believe in it’s potential – hopefully, it won’t be just boys who dream of becoming PBA players, but also young Pinay ballers can dream of getting into the WNBL.) 

“Hopefully, I can be a role model to them knowing that they have big dreams too.” 

WNBL Executive Vice President Rhose Montreal shared that Ravena was the one who approached them as he wanted to be more active in the league. 

“Nakakagulat ‘yung passion niya for women’s basketball (His passion for women’s basketball is surprising.),” shared Montreal. 

“He offered a lot of help to the league. Sabi nga namin, sobrang busy ka na (We said, you are already so busy), but without batting an eyelash he said ‘I am very much willing to be an ambassador’.” 

Despite being busy in the PBA, the former Ateneo star shared that he helps out in the Ateneo women’s basketball team from time to time as his passion for the sport is really there. 

Ravena also supported Gilas Women in its historic double gold medal run in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

The Gilas stalwart believes that the players’ passion for the sport fueled the intensity and determination to win the elusive gold, which will be seen in the league. 

“It’s so sincere and innocent that gusto lang talaga nila [Pinay ballers] maglaro ng basketball. Makikita mo na whenever sasabak sila sa basketball, sa game, grabe ‘yung ng intensity, ‘yung determination nila para manalo,” said Ravena. 

(It’s so sincere and innocent that Pinay ballers just want to play basketball. You’ll see that it gets very intense whenever they enter the game or go for the ball and you can feel their determination to win.)

The WNBL will unveil its draft list on Tuesday, October 13, at 7 pm on the NBL-Pilipinas Facebook page from an overwhelming 702 applicants, which goes to show the surplus of women’s basketball talent in the Philippines. – Vince Roque/Rappler.com