Kiefer Ravena hopes Filipinos can keep pace as the Japan B.LEAGUE expands its Asian special quota, now opening the doors to players from Lebanon to join for the 2025-26 season.
Kiefer Ravena is expecting all Filipino imports in Japan to step up their game as the B.LEAGUE recently opened its doors to more countries as part of its Asian special quota.
That is, players from more countries in the region can now try in their names to vie for roster spots across the league, which now increases the competition for Filipinos in Japan.
For the 2025-26 B.LEAGUE season, players from Lebanon, this is on top of the initial expansion for this current season that expanded the reach within East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
As the years go on, Filipinos have been one of the staples for the Asian special quota players in Japan. But now with more options, Ravena believes it’s no time to be complacent for himself and the rest of the Filipino contingent in the B.LEAGUE.
“For sure [we feel pressure],” Ravena told reporters during the B.LEAGUE Finals watch party over the weekend.
“Lalong lalo na, you know, I think the B.LEAGUE is headed to the direction wherein even Middle East, East Asia is opening their doors as Asian quota players. So lumiliit na din yung opportunity na ng lahat, di ba? So kami, we have to be on our toes,” he added.
Ravena himself has five years of experience in Japan under his belt, having played for two teams, the Shiga Lakes and the Yokohama B-Corsairs.
But even as he and other players, such as Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, Ray Parks Jr., and Matthew Wright, have already established their roots in Japan, there are still chances that they may fall victim to being cut, especially with new talents coming on board.
Eager to keep their positions, and the pride of the Philippines, intact, Ravena encouraged his fellow Filipino players in the B.LEAGUE to keep going and improving their craft.
“Kailangan, pakita namin yung edge naming and just focus on that. Ipakita namin yung kaya namin ipakita sa laro. Lamang lang namin don, we're already in the league. The experience, we know the ins and outs of the league,” he said.
“We have to capitalize on that and use that as our edge to be able to continue to play in the B.LEAGUE.”
As for aspiring newcomers, Ravena said that they’ll need to be able to learn from their compatriots that are already in the league.
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For the younger players, Ravena believes they need to realize that playing overseas is much more than just having the talent it takes to win the games. Rather, it’s much bigger than that.
“I hope they learn a few things with their kuyas playing in the B.LEAGUE right now. The thing is, you know playing internationally, playing overseas, there's just so much more than talent,” said Ravena.
“Talent overflows with the Filipinos, especially the next generation of basketball players."
"But the mental toughness, being able to play when things don't go your way, and being able to be resilient in times of you know, hardships, missing family, missing loved ones, missing occasions, that's when you really show if you're really built to play overseas. So, I hope they learn that as soon as possible.”