Brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Ray Parks relish break with fellow Filipino imports for B.League All-Star weekend

The Japan B.League is midway through its season and Filipino imports Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena and Ray Parks said they are happy to be with other Filipinos as the league's All-Star Weekend starts this Friday.

For the three, the All-Star weekend is an opportunity to get together on and off the court.

Kiefer, Thirdy, and Ray will join fellow Filipinos Matthew Wright, Kobe Paras, Roosevelt Adams, Greg Slaughter, and Jordan Heading as part of the Asia Rising Stars along with other Asian quota players and will compete against the B.League Rising Stars team in the match which will be played Friday night.

"I am very much thankful and grateful for this opportunity. Nakakatuwa na magsama-sama kami ulit tapos siyempre matagal din 'to [ng season]," Kiefer said in an interview with GMA Integrated News. 

"Ito lang ang opportunity namin na magkasama-sama kasi mahaba 'yung season, tapos 'yung schedule namin lahat minsan mahirap talaga itugma so magandang opportunity ito to get together na ibinigay ng B.League para makapaglaro together, represent the country, [play] together with other Asian quota players here."

For Thirdy, the All-Star weekend is sort of a reunion for the Filipino imports.

"Very happy. Parang nagkaroon kami ng mini-reunion dito sa Japan," Thirdy said. 

"To be here is already a blessing in itself na makita ang Filipino brothers namin but also the other Asian players and Rising Stars so such a surreal feeling."

Parks, meanwhile, said the All-Star weekend is a way to spend some time with other Filipinos, who he considers as brothers, and entertain the fans.

"Trying to enjoy my brothers right now, trying to let our hair down and just enjoy," said Parks. 

"I feel like just being able to come here, spend time on and off the court, to be honest that's the biggest thing right now. To be able to put on a show for our kababayans and to all B.League fans across the world, we want to put on a show for them."

Aside from the Asia Rising Star vs. B.League Rising Stars, Kiefer will also participate in the skills challenge, while Heading will join the 3-point contest. Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos will not be able to join the festivities due to an injury.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News