Kiefer Ravena says Gilas working on few tweaks ahead of FIBA WCQ fifth window

With around nine days remaining before Gilas Pilipinas plays Jordan in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, national team veteran Kiefer Ravena said the team is looking good ahead of their game on November 11.

"Team's looking good and I guess with the core players that played from the last window, malaking bagay na konti na lang 'yung kailangan namin i-adjust in terms of knowing how to play with each other," Ravena told members of the press on Wednesday.

Ravena said he and his brother Thirdy joined the national team practice on Tuesday, while fellow Japan B.League players Dwight Ramos and Ray Parks are on their way to the country.

The Gilas guard said the national team is reminded of the hunger Jordan might have coming into the game.

"We have to come in very confident just like any other window. We were reminded that Jordan hasn't made it or hasn't qualified it to the World Cup yet so they're coming out swinging talaga, na they have to win games in order to qualify. Alam namin yun, ready kami doon mentally and we have to be ready physically as well," Ravena said.

"Kung ano man pinaghahandaan namin ngayon, ma-execute namin and malabas namin para maganda ang kalabasan ng window na ito," he added.

While the team only made minimal changes in terms of the lineup from the previous window, one major difference for the fifth window is the absence of Jordan Clarkson — which may be an opportunity for others to step up.

"Mahirap punuin numbers ni JC 'pag isang tao lang so kailangan lahat talaga, next man up mentality as the cliche goes," said Ravena. "Opportunity lang na ang ibinibigay sa harapan namin na kailangan namin i-grab."

Ravena said their focal points for Jordan include Freddy Ibrahim and Ahmad Al Dwairi.

"Everybody is capable on contributing pero malaking bagay 'pag napaghandaan mga 'yun."

Gilas will play Jordan an hour past midnight on November 11, while they will face Saudi Arabia on November 14. Both games will be away games for the national team.

—JMB, GMA News