Kiefer Ravena has now spent equal time in the PBA and Japan’s B.League, marking his fourth year as an overseas import since joining the Shiga Lakes in 2021. Now playing for the Yokohama B-Corsairs, Ravena has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the Philippines and resuming his PBA career with the NLEX Road Warriors—the team that gave him his professional start.
In a recent interview on *Power & Play*, Ravena shared that his return to the PBA is a real possibility, one influenced by his upcoming marriage to beauty queen Diane Mackey. Their decision on where to settle down will play a big part in determining whether he stays abroad or heads back home.
“Most definitely. I’m not gonna lie that I think about home, I think about the PBA. Obviously, my marriage is a big part [of] the decision whether or not we try to settle down back home or try it out for a couple more years here,” Ravena said.
“I’ll still see. But strongly considering the opportunity. We’ll see. I still have this season to finish and see where it goes, di ba?” he added.
Despite being miles away, Ravena has kept a close eye on the PBA. Watching games and scouting potential matchups has kept the league fresh in his mind, fueling his desire to compete against the current crop of PBA stars.
“But definitely, I would love to be back. I would love to challenge myself again and continue to see myself against the great players there in the PBA right now—especially ang daming magagaling,” said Ravena.
“There’s always a reason why I always continue to watch the PBA. A little scouting, here and there, who to guard and what to expect.”
If Ravena does return to the PBA, his first choice would be NLEX, the team that allowed him to pursue opportunities in Japan. Ravena feels a strong sense of loyalty and unfinished business with the organization that supported his international ambitions.
“To be honest, I really owe a lot to NLEX. Kasi kung hindi naman nila ako pinayagan in the first place, I wouldn’t be here. So it’s just right for me to give back to the team that allowed me to go to greener pastures and help them get back to the winning ways,” Ravena said.
“I’m sure coach Jong [Uichico], Boss Ronald [Dulatre], my former teammates ano din sila, excited din sila if ever I do come back,” he added.
If Kiefer Ravena returns, NLEX could suddenly boast arguably the best backcourt tandem in the PBA. With Ravena’s playmaking, scoring, and leadership pairing alongside Robert Bolick’s offensive versatility and tenacity, the Road Warriors would have a guard duo capable of matching up with any team in the league.
The idea of these two dynamic guards sharing the floor is an exciting prospect for NLEX fans and a nightmare for opponents. With both players thriving in pick-and-roll situations, orchestrating offenses, and creating shots, NLEX could elevate themselves to contender status.
While Ravena’s return remains uncertain, one thing is clear—his presence could completely transform the Road Warriors and inject the team with a level of firepower and leadership they’ve been missing since his departure.
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