Reavis experience, leadership fire up Magnolia

Much has been said about Magnolia’s young guns’ contributions to keep its pristine record after five outings in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.

But elder statesman Rafi Reavis is also doing his fair share for the cause inside and outside the court.

Equipped with a wealth of experience, he imparts his wisdom to his teammates and is very active during team huddles.

“Rafi has always been like that. He is very active on the bench, talking to his teammates. If they have some suggestions, he also tells me about it,” Hotshots mentor Chito Victolero said.

“We are very open with the players especially Rafi, who has deep experience.”

Flocked by talents half his age, it’s understandable that the 47-year-old forward would log limited minutes or even ride the bench entirely.

But with Magnolia tweaking its system and Victolero stretching his rotation, Reavis has seen action in four of the Hotshots’ five outings.

The second overall pick in the 2002 Draft played over six minutes, scoring four points and pulling three rebounds in a 127-94 drubbing of Terrafirma last Sunday.

His production is proof that he can still pull the trigger and chip in for the Hotshots despite being the oldest active player in the league.

“Rafi is always ready,” Victolero said of Reavis, who only saw one game in the Commissioner’s Cup.

“I just try to give him some minutes in case we need him in the future.”

Reavis has a lot of mileage under him. He even played with Victolero back in 2000 when they power the San Juan Knights in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA).

But even at an advanced age, the 11-time PBA champion remains serviceable.

In fact, he held his own against San Miguel Beer’s behemoth June Mar Fajardo when the Hotshots downed the Beermen in overtime, 98-95, last 16 April.