Happy Birthday, Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena, II ( May 11 )

Happy Birthday, Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena, II

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

5x PBA champion as player
6x PBA champion as assistant coach 
1992 PBA Rookie of the Year
1997 PBA Most Improved Player
1997 PBA Mythical Second Team member
UE Red Warriors scorer

FERDINAND Ravena, Jr. wasn't too keen on turning pro this year. In fact, he had announced that he'd apply for pro status next season so that the competition for Rookie of the Year honors wouldn't be that stiff. "You can win the Rookie of the Year award only once and I believe you have to prepare hard for it. Marami ako'ng kasabay this year and that's why I thought of delaying my entry into the PBA for one season," rationalized the 6-3 Ravena. However, Bong, as he is fondly called by peers, finally decided to apply for pro status, realizing that there wasn't much in store for him in the amateur ranks this year.  "I've already completed five years with the University of the East. The country has no international commitment this year except for the Asian Juniors where I'm not qualified. If I wait a year more in the PBL, my game might dip anew like it happened before. And besides, all my friends from the national team have applied for pro status. I might as well join them," he said. Ravena was picked fifth overall by San Miguel Beer during the amateur draft last January 12. There were early reports that Shell was also considering him. But the Turbo Chargers, who picked third overall, drafted 6-5 Joselito Escobar instead. "There really was no specific team! wanted to join. Kahit saan ako mapunta, okay lang. In fact, I'm happy to have been drafted by San Miguel dahil makakasama ko dito ang idol ko'ng si Samboy Lim," said Bong, a high flyer like the league's original Skywalker. Only problem with San Miguel, though, is the fact that Bong is actually Norman Black's third priority behind the comebacking Lim and 1991 Most Improved Player awardee, Renato Agustin. That means, he'll be getting minimal exposure and would only be fielded in t both Lim and Agustin are in their off night, which is unlikely to happen. After two games, Ravena has only suited up once for San Miguel and this was against Pepsi Cola where he made two points, a rebound and an assist in six minutes. "But coach Black promised he'd give me the breaks. Puwede naman kaming pagsabayin either ni Ato o ni Samboy. I practice two positions shooting guard and small forward. Pero mas at home ako sa small forward dahil ito talaga ang laro ko noong amateur ako." As an amateur, Ravena made the national squad several times. He first donned the tricolors during the 1988 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) 19-and-under meet held in Manila. After that, he became a regular fixture in the men's team. But, there was a time when his career dipped. This was when he played brielly for Burger City two years back. "Magulb kasi noon dahil na-bankrupt ang team. Maraming problema. Hindi nag-eensayo ang players. But when I transferred to RC Cola, nagbago na ang lahat. I believe RC Cola is a good team. Lahat gutom na manalo from the players to the coach to the management. It's just unfortunate that we really lacked manpower." He says that one of his most unforgettable moments as an amateur was when he was with RC Cola in game against Mama's Love. "Four seconds to go, la mang ang Mama's Love ng one point. I I drove in and got fouled as the buzzer sounded. Talagang pressured ako dahil kailangang makapasok ako ng free throw. I made both shots and we won. Masaya talaga ako that night." But of course, aside from that one instance, a most memorable stint was with the RP Men's team that captured the championship of the 16th Southeast Asian Games last year. Despite minimal playing