WORDS by AJ Quintos, 34, the biggest Kiefer Ravena fan in Japan

When I found out that Kiefer was playing here, I felt excited and booked a ticket right away to watch his game. 

When we watched the game versus his brother Thirdy, he didn’t hesitate to come and autograph my jersey during warmups. It felt so surreal. We saw him outside the gym and he also signed my Jordans. He was a very down-to-earth person.

I felt so proud watching my fellow Filipinos play for our country. Kiefer and Thirdy are both amazing players and they deserve to be part of the B.League. Filipinos here in Japan are very proud and excited about what more they can show in their upcoming games. 

I’ve been living in Gifu, Japan as a factory worker for six years. I also play in an amateur league, the Chubu Basketball League, in Gifu.

I became a fan of Kiefer from his high school days. I copied his hairstyle and bought his jersey about 15 years ago.

I like his game because he always comes up with smart plays and he involves his teammates. It’s something I admire about a basketball player. He’s an intelligent team player.

The best part of watching him play live is just getting to see his moves in person. I also saw how well he interacts with his fans. Despite the limitations due to health protocols, he never hesitated to interact with his fans. 

One of the best parts is getting to cheer for my idol every time he makes a shot.

I’m looking forward to watching more of his games here in Japan.