The country’s quest for a solid showing in the global hoops summit brought them back together.
Gilas Pilipinas pool members Kiefer Ravena and Chris Newsome are currently battling for a spot in the national team’s final lineup that will compete in the FIBA World Cup. Another thing they have in common is they suited up for the Ateneo Blue Eagles during college. Actually, they played alongside each other for a couple of years.
On Monday night, Newsome shared an Instagram story that showed a photo of him standing side by side with Ravena, both of them rocking a buzz cut and the Blue Eagles jersey. The picture was taken ten years ago, during the high-flying forward’s first year with Ateneo. Kiefer reposted the story as a way to tip his hat to Chris.
“Running it back ‘til this day,” the Gilas point guard said in response to the Meralco Bolts star.
Chris and Manong Kiefer didn’t win a UAAP title in their two seasons with Ateneo. That being said, they were an elite duo that would combine for alley-oop plays every once in a while. They arguably had their best year in Season 77 when Newsome earned a Mythical selection and Ravena bagged his first of two UAAP MVP trophies.
In the pros, Newsome went on to become a solid PBA cager for the Bolts, while Ravena ultimately chose to play as an Asian import in the Japan B.League after several years with the NLEX Road Warriors. Now, their paths have intertwined once again with Gilas. Another team-up for the game’s biggest tournament will likely be the culmination of their story as basketball teammates.
(GM)