Back in the Philippines, Yokohama B-Corsairs standout Kiefer Ravena picks up a role he’s always cherished: guiding the next generation of local hoopers.
Kiefer Ravena is back on home soil — and he’s back doing the one thing that has always grounded him: teaching the next generation.
The Yokohama B-Corsairs guard was on hand for a basketball clinic for kids during the opening festivities of the two-day Japan B.LEAGUE Hope Asia Hoop Festival 2025 in BGC on Saturday, November 22.
He joined local trainers in guiding close to 50 eager participants through drills, fundamentals, and lessons he learned growing up.
[Kiefer Ravena poses with local trainers and a group of young aspiring hoopers at the Japan B.LEAGUE Hope Asia Hoop Festival in BGC. | Photo: Pao Ambat/One Sports]
And for the 32-year-old, there’s nothing quite like moments like these.
Ravena, who also led a clinic at Trinity Christian School in Bacolod last May, has long embraced giving back to young hoopers — a role he says feels is almost second nature.
“It’s always nice to come back to my passion, which is teaching. I feel like I can relate to a lot of these kids kasi I was once in their shoes,” he shared.
“For me, sharing my knowledge and the talent that was given me is just a small thing of giving back,” Ravena added.
Buoyed by the warm reception from the local basketball community, ‘Manong’ — as he’s fondly known — hinted that more clinics in the Philippines may be on the horizon.
“Personally, for me, I plan to do so. Ngayon medyo mas mahirap lang kasi ongoing ‘yung season namin sa Japan B.LEAGUE. But definitely, there are plans going into the offseason,” Ravena admitted.
He continued, “I have the people around to make the [basketball clinic] happen already, so it’s just a matter of time before we start something new.”
Ravena is back in the country as the Japan B.LEAGUE enters a two-week break to accommodate the first window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
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And for someone who has spent the past four years overseas, these brief trips home mean more than just rest.
“It’s nice to catch up with my family, rest, and just be home,” he said. “That’s the most important thing before the string of games ulit.”
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.