Daven Tamayo

Ravena on Quiambao’s NBA dream: ‘Work in silence, surprise everybody’

Article (news)

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752059714060IMG_7379.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Kevin Quiambao (left) and Kiefer Ravena (right). Photos from FIBA/Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News."/>Kevin Quiambao (left) and Kiefer Ravena (right). Photos from FIBA/Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.MANILA — Kiefer Ravena is among the believers of Kevin Quiambao and his bid to reach the NBA.</div>The 31-year-old, Yokohama B-Corsairs playmaker also once pursued his own NBA hopes almost a decade ago, living alone in the US as he joined the Dallas Mavericks’ G-League affiliate Texas Legends as a developmental player.Now, it is Quiambao’s turn to chase his goals, this time in Sacramento as he looked to secure a spot in this year’s NBA Summer League.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/7/7/kevin-quiambao-left-out-of-sacramento-kings-summer-league-roster-1736" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">READ: Kevin Quiambao left out of Sacramento Kings’ Summer League roster</a></div>Unfortunately, KQ was left out of the Sacramento Kings’ roster for their summer squad, but Ravena knows that the De La Salle University product’s dream is far from over.“Just keep everything to yourself. Work in silence, surprise everybody, marami namang naka-suporta sayo, kapatid,” the Ateneo de Manila University legend told ABS-CBN News at the sidelines of Strong Group-Pilipinas’ media availability on Wednesday in Manila.Having gone through a similar process in 2016 following his decorated UAAP career with the Blue Eagles, Ravena understands that things can get extra challenging, especially for Pinoy hopefuls.“It’s really a difficult process. Sometimes, in life, you just think and everything’s easy,” he said. “People forget about the hard work that you put in, but ayun nga, it’s a tough situation.”Ravena also touched on how there is even a portion of Filipinos who will express their doubts about their fellow countrymen.“Unfortunately, as Filipinos, we do have that culture,” Kiefer pointed out. “But for him, keep your head down, keep your mind right, and focus on the good things. The less talk, the less people would know.”“Kung gaano karami yung nagda-doubt sayo, mas marami yung sumusuporta sayo,” he added.And the best way for Quiambao to silence his doubters, according to Ravena, is just to keep on pushing.“Knowing KQ, he’s a competitor, and he’s gonna continue to fight and prove everybody wrong,” he said. RELATED VIDEO: <script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABb9mJQopOPPTFM0"></script>

Kiefer Ravena is among the believers of Kevin Quiambao and his bid to reach the NBA.

Kiefer Ravena is among the believers of Kevin Quiambao and his bid to reach the NBA.