Bong Ravena feels proud seeing sons Kiefer, Thirdy competing for SEA Games gold

Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena was a member of the gold medal winning Philippine squad in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games back when the men’s basketball team formed representing the country in the biennial meet were all-amateur players.

Some of Ravena’s teammates at that time were Johnny Abarrientos, Vergel Meneses, Marlou Aquino, Jun Limpot and Vic Pablo among others.

In front of the hometown cheering crowd, the Pinoy cagers went on to win over Thailand in the finals and form there on, no other Philippine quintet lost in the SEA Games basketball competition.

Prior to winning the 1991 SEA Games gold, the Philippines just came off a heartbreaking loss two years earlier against Malaysia.

“From there (1991), non-stop na. Basically kapag SEA Games, Pilipinas yung No. 1 lagi,” the elder Ravena said.

“Parang bawal tayong matalo. There’s pressure, pero ako pinagpi-pray ko lang na sana makuha nila ulit.”

More than three decades later, not only one, but two Ravenas are playing together to represent Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team in the Hanoi SEA Games.

Kiefer, the older of the two brothers, is gunning for his sixth god medal in the biennial meet while Thirdy is seeking his first ever gold medal in the SEA Games.

It would be sweeter for the Ravenas to win it altogether.  

“I feel blessed and fortunate to see them play together in the SEA Games for the country,” said Bong. “Like me, I also played in the SEA Games and I’m so blessed.”

But Bong had seen how much the level  of play from Southeast Asian countries had improved.

“We cannot underestimate our opponents. Some teams are improving talaga like Indonesia, Thailand. Hindi mo puwedeng maliitin. I’ll pray na manalo sila sana,” added Bong.

True enough, Gilas Pilipinas salvaged a hard-earned 76-73 win over Thailand, but played true to form in whipping Cambodia, 100-32, and Singapore, 88-37.

—JMB, GMA News