Looking for better results, Kiefer Ravena will run it back with the Yokohama B-Corsairs next season in the B.LEAGUE.
Kiefer Ravena is returning to the Yokohama B-Corsairs for another season in the Japan B.LEAGUE, hoping that the team can build on their optimistic results this year as they eye a playoff run in the 24-team field.
Ravena, who is already in his fifth year playing in Japan, spoke to Philippine media on Sunday during a watch party for Game 2 of the Finals between the Utsunomiya Brex and the Ryukyu Golden Kings.
Having been successful in the B2 with his previous team in the Shiga Lakes last year, Ravena is looking for the same results with Yokohama.
[READ: Kiefer Ravena re-ups with Yokohama B-Corsairs for another Japan B.LEAGUE run]
“Yeah, you know, I just signed with Yokohama again for the next season, so it’s going to be an opportunity for me to run it back with my team. I believe the great teams here in the B.LEAGUE has to come with consistency and good chemistry,” Ravena said.
“So it’s nice for us to be able to bring in some of the core guys, couple of imports back and hopefully finish out a better season next year.”
The 31-year-old is also seeing the new season as a personal barometer for himself.
“It’s another opportunity for me to prepare for a better future and makita ko pa maglaro in that level,” he said.
As for their best practices after the 2024-25 season, where the B-Corsairs finished with a 24-36 win-loss slate, Ravena said they’ll just need to believe that they can do better than they already have.
Despite missing the postseason, Yokohama's 24 wins this season is tied for second-most in franchise history. The B-Corsairs have only made the B.LEAGUE playoffs once in the 2022-23 season, when MVP Yuki Kawamura led the team to the semifinals.
“Siguro, ano, [what we’ll do is] pick off from the good spots where we were able to play as a team. Our own style, our own pace. Importante din kasi dun siguro... alam namin na kaya namin,” Ravena said.
“So I think yun yung nag go-go towards our building up for next season na alam naman namin na kaya namin manalo, compete with the top teams. So hopefully, maging healthy lang kami lahat to be able to do that,” he added.
Still, it’ll be easier said and done for Ravena, who said he’ll continue working on himself — especially when it comes to conditioning.
Already at a later part in his career, the B.LEAGUE veteran is raring to make things count.
“Next season, [yung] personal expectations ko, I have to come in [the team] in much better shape. I put that pressure on myself as a professional, as a veteran and just continue to lead the team. Help in whatever way I can, on and off the court,” said Ravena.
“And again, [we] just [have to] take care of our bodies, mentally and physically and to go at it next season.”
In 53 games played for Yokohama in the past season, Ravena normed 9.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.