'Still a loss': Ravena says Gilas FIBA World Cup rematch vs Italy no better despite lower deficit

MANILA, Philippines — Whether by 46 or by seven, a loss is a loss.

That’s the mindset of former captain Gilas Pilipinas Kiefer Ravena after the Nationals lost to Italy, 90-83, in their final Group A game in the 2023 FIBA World Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday night.

Ravena was a part of the 2019 Gilas squad that suffered a 108-62 blowout to Italy in the previous World Cup. But even with more parity this time around, Ravena isn’t one to pat himself on the back.

“I don’t know. [It’s] still a loss,” Ravena said after the game. 

“I don’t know if it’s redemption or nakabawi, or something like that. But I’m not that type of player who would consider something like that as an improvement.”

Because of the loss, the Philippines became the first hosts since Colombia in 1982 to lose their first three games in the World Cup. Co-host Japan has already won one game.

Even with the campaign going down in infamy, Ravena keeps himself zeroed in on the next task at hand: the classification phase.

After going 0-5 in the 2019 World Cup, the Philippines will look to avoid another winless run in basketball’s biggest stage.

“You all know how competitive I am, so, bawi lang next game. Pahinga. ‘Di namin alam kung kelan lalaro or sa September 1 or [August] 31, I’m not sure of what the schedule is,” said Ravena. 

“Ayun lang, focus lang kami sa next game namin.”

Now out of contention, Gilas is still looking to snag the outright berth for the 2024 Paris Olympics by being the best performing Asian team in the tournament.