Kiefer Ravena on Fastbreak

In the world of collegiate basketball, the name of Kiefer Ravena looms large. The 5’11” guard out of the Ateneo de Manila is a certified sports superstar, in-demand product endorser, and an inspiration and role model to the many young people who look up to him.

When Typhoon Sendong hit the Philippines in late 2011, Kiefer was moved to find a way to reach out and help the victims. The only way he knew how was through sports — so he thought of staging a one-time charity game to benefit those who had survived the typhoon.

That’s when he came up with Fastbreak. “Fastbreak was originally my idea but what I created was a one-time charity game to help other Filipinos in need,” says Kiefer. “This started when Typhoon Sendong hit the Philippines.”

That first Fastbreak charity game was followed by Fastbreak 2, which benefited victims of Typhoon Yolanda in November last year. Tickets priced at up to P500 were sold, with the proceeds going to support rehabilitation efforts in typhoon-stricken areas. Kiefer’s friends, mainly fellow collegiate players, players from the Gilas Pilipinas pool and celebrities like Xian Lim, Gerald Anderson, Jhong Hilario and Vhong Navarro pitched in to help.

It’s obvious that Kiefer, although he is young, apparently understands what it means to reach out and help others. Last year, he also pledged an amount to help Philippine skating sensation Michael Martinez.

Now he’s reaching out again, but to a different group of people. Kiefer says that basically, Fastbreak is something they put up for this very purpose. “It’s just about helping others and giving back,” he clarifies.

They have decided to expand the program beyond just staging charity games or doing things whenever there was a crisis, like a typhoon, that needed an immediate response. They have put up a basketball training camp in a tie-up with the Milo BEST (Basketball Efficiency Scientific Training) Center. “My family (dad Bong Ravena, mom Mozzy, sister Dani and brother Thirdy) and I felt like we couldn’t just wait for another typhoon to help other people, so we put up Fastbreak: The Ravena Sports Outreach Program. It was a combination of my family’s efforts to put everything up,” says Kiefer.

Above: He’s sharing his talents, skills and time through the Fastbreak: The Ravena Sports Outreach Program, which he set up with his family. Right: The cager imparting lessons with the young participants.

Kiefer’s mom Mozzy, an ex-varsity volleyball player, worked with the people who wanted to help and the areas they would go to, his dad prepared the basketball program, his sister Dani helped in fixing the camp and younger brother Thirdy, with some other friends, acted as coaches during the camp. They started small, with just four sessions initially.

Kiefer knows how important it is to get the right training early — even for naturally talented players like himself. “I started with the BEST Center when I was four years old. I was the youngest that they had. The camp taught a lot of basketball-improving drills but the most important thing that they have taught me is the discipline and dedication you have to have, to be the best,” he says.

Because of this, Kiefer understands what it’s like. “I would always remember me being in their position when I was their age. I would try to get in as much basketball camps as I could to really help me improve. So now, we reach out into areas that don’t have enough exposure or connections to join good basketball camps,” he says.

Kiefer got the right training early in his career, and went on to become the basketball superstar he is today. After he graduates from the collegiate leagues, there is always the option to turn professional and join the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Now he wants to bring that training to other future superstars all over the country. Without a doubt, there will be other youngsters who will follow in his footsteps, not just inside but even outside the basketball court.