Kiefer leaves NLEX, Yeng likens his prized ward’s departure to losing a right hand
NLEX Road Warriors’ head coach Yeng Guiao likened the departure of his prized ward, star point guard Kiefer Ravena, as losing a right hand.
More than his athletic ability, Kiefer shines on the hard court because he is a cerebral basketball player. His basketball IQ is perhaps among the highest in the PBA and it provides NLEX an extension of the coach on the court. As we all know, the point guard calls the play and even directs the defensive schemes. He is called the court general for a reason, and Kiefer’s departure for the Japanese B League will leave a huge hole in NLEX’s guard rotation moving forward.
A lot has been said about Kiefer’s move to play overseas despite having a live contract as a PBA player. The lure of big bucks certainly moved Kiefer to consider playing in Japan and follow his younger brother Thirdy to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Kiefer reportedly left for Japan to facilitate his papers so he can play as the Asian import of Japanese B League side Shiga Lakestars. His brother Thirdy will continue to play for San-en NeoPhoenix. Thirdy signed a multi-year contract with the San-en team, securing his career in Japan as the first Filipino to play in the B League.
Thirdy opened opportunities for Filipino basketball players to play in Japan, as four other Pinoys will be playing in the said league.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. was released by Talk N Text and will suit up for the Nagoya Diamonds.
Juan Gomez de Liaño will be playing for Earthfriends Tokyo Z club which is in the second division of the B League.
His older brother Javi will play for Ibaraki Robots in the J League.
Another Pinoy who will be playing in Japan is 6-foot-9 power forward Kenmark Cariño. He is expected to suit up for Aomori Wat’s, another second division team in the B League.
With Kiefer’s departure, NLEX will have to rely on Kevin Alas and perhaps on Jericho Cruz and if healthy, Roi Sumang.
While Kiefer will still play for NLEX in the Philippine Cup his departure for Japan and subsequent entry in quarantine once he returns to the country, unless the Road Warriors enter the semifinals, then Kiefer will be unable to play anymore in the current conference.
Of course, Kiefer will be instrumental in the campaign of NLEX now that Alas is back after getting injured. NLEX is also getting a huge lift from its prized rookie Calvin Oftana and new recruit Don Trollano.
Without a doubt, Kiefer entered this season in the best shape in his career and it is sad that NLEX will not be getting much benefit from a superbly shaped Kiefer.
The former Ateneo King Eagle was averaging 15.75 points, 6.5 assists, 3.75 rebounds, and 1.75 steals a game and leading the league with a 42.3-percent clip from three-point range when the season was halted after Metro Manila reverted to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) on August 1, 2021.
His assists average was also second only to TNT Tropang Giga star point guard Jayson Castro’s league-best 6.7-per-game average.
For these reasons, Guiao is ruing the fact that he is unable to tap Kiefer for the remainder of the conference and just hopes that the team manages to win more games and end up in the semifinals.
As Guiao would put it, he needs to grow a right hand, as soon as possible.