MANILA, Philippines – Kiefer Ravena's performance on Day 1 of the PBA Rookie Draft Combine underscored what most fans and analysts already knew about him – that he is a talent worthy of a high pick.

The former Ateneo star topped three of the five anthropometric drills conducted in the morning, including the vertical leap test. In the afternoon, he led his team to a 2-0 record in their group, while showcasing a mix of his scoring abilities and playmaking skills.

"If you're here, you have to give it your best, you can't relax," said Ravena, a two-time UAAP MVP who briefly chased his NBA dreams in the United States before eventually deciding to declare for the PBA Rookie Draft.

"When I was doing all the skills (test), I had to make sure I'd win every competition, as much as I can," he adds. "Talagang ito na 'yung chance ko na if ever, i-increase pa 'yung experience dito sa combine."

• READ: Kiefer quick to make his mark in Day 1 of PBA Draft Combine

As impressive as he was in the combine, the No. 1 pick in the draft may be out of reach for Ravena. His teammate in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games team, Christian Standhardinger, likely had the top spot locked up ever since he declared for the draft.

He is unlikely to fall far, however. If Ravena is not picked first, he is expected to go second – to the NLEX Road Warriors and coach Yeng Guiao. This is a prospect that thrills the "Phenom."

"If ever NLEX na ang kumuha sa akin, I'm excited to be under Coach Yeng," said Ravena.

He believes that his high school days, wherein he played for coach Jamike Jarin, prepared him for the possibility of playing for a "fiery" coach such as Guiao, who is known for his biting criticisms as much as for his coaching tactics.

"I don't think Coach Jamike is anywhere close to how Coach Yeng is," said Ravena, laughing. "But I'm very excited."

"I've talked to Coach Yeng a couple of times prior to the combine," he revealed. "So hopefully, everything pans out. If ever I got No. 2, I'll be with him in NLEX."

If he is indeed drafted by NLEX, Ravena will join a promising team that includes young guards Kevin Alas and Carlo Lastimosa, as well as veterans Alex Mallari and JR Quiñahan.

No matter where he ends up, however, Ravena said he simply wants to help the team improve and win.

"Ang maganda lang doon is, kapag nakapag-pakita na kami, makapaglaro na talaga kami sa isang PBA game, doon na malalaman ng tao kung worth it ba yung pagiging No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3," he said.

"For us, as long as we get our foot inside the PBA, 'yun na 'yun. Mako-control na namin kung ano ang pwede namin ma-control, which is how we play, and makapaglaro kami ng 110% for the team that will pick us," he added.

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