Dreams are not impossible to achieve – Kiefer

MANILA, Philippines — From a high school and collegiate phenom to a national team mainstay, Milo ambassador, PBA superstar and now a world staple as the first Filipino athlete to join the elite Jordan Brand family, Kiefer Ravena has achieved it all.

“The Phenom” is undoubtedly on top of the game – through all ranks and across the seas – as a champion and established name here and abroad.

But as much as has been said to his career, the 27-year-old cager might not have reached where he is now if not for his beginning as a kid with big dreams in the Milo BEST Center.

The NLEX Road Warriors star  guard said he would not be who he is and would not be in the echelon where he is today without the “valuable” lessons – on and off the court – instilled to  dreamers like him by the biggest basketball clinic in the country.

“Pinaka-natutuhan ko sa Milo ay yung disiplina na dala-dala ko hanggang ngayon,” Ravena told The STAR.

And he acknowledged the late Milo BEST Center founder Nic Jorge as one of his first mentors. “Importante kay coach Nic ‘yun disiplina. Malaking bagay ‘yun. It goes beyond the basketball court.”

True enough, the discipline etched in his heart has catapulted him to heights, with the 2005 Milo BEST graduate becoming a UAAP champion and MVP for Ateneo, five-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, key stalwart for NLEX in the PBA, and now a Jordan Brand member.

What has already been a dream ride could be just be the start of something bigger.

“I hope to inspire and be a good role model to the Filipinos, reminding them that as long as they keep on working hard and focusing on their goals, they can reach it, for those dreams are never impossible to achieve,” he said.