‘I’m done proving myself to anyone else’

Dani Ravena faced harsh criticism during the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference campaign of Akari, including allegations of nepotism.

Bearing a well-known surname in Philippine sports, Dani has always lived under heightened expectations.

Her dad Bong is a PBA legend, her mom Mozzy a great volleyball player during her time, and her brothers Thirdy and Kiefer have made names in the basketball scene abroad.

Coincidentally, Mozzy is the team manager of Akari in the PVL, which fueled the nepotism allegations from naysayers on social media platforms.

Ravena was part of the inaugural team of the Chargers but was then traded to Nxled, Akari’s sister team, before the start of the 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference.

After spending two seasons with the Chameleons, Ravena returned to Akari for the ongoing conference.

She never responded to the naysayers during her Ateneo de Manila days, but with her mom now dragged into the issue, Dani shared her sentiments on an Instagram story on Friday.

“I rarely speak about this, but if there’s one thing my mom would never do, it is to remove or take away any opportunity from other players just because I am her daughter. Since forever, people would always say that I do not deserve to be here or be anywhere in the professional level,” her story read.

“You guys are entitled to your opinions, but the slander against the entire Akari management/team has to end.”

Allegations were made online as Erika Raagas and Janine Marciano have not played so far in the conference. Akari management released a statement on Saturday morning explaining that Raagas is still getting back in shape after spending time with family in the United States.

Meanwhile, Marciano is recovering from a minor left knee injury.

“I will always be a Ravena. My mom will aways be my mom. That’s the reality. But I will never stop working my ass off not to prove my haters wrong but to thank those who supported me and believed in me since day 1,” she continued in her Instagram story.

“You guys can hide your identities with your dummy accounts and Call me Nepo baby all you want, but nothing will ever stop me from pouring my heart and soul to the game that I love.”

Despite her response online, Ravena shared on Saturday evening after Akari’s reverse sweep of Petro Gazz that she has learned to block out the noise by only believing in the people who matter – her teammates, coaches, and family.

Ravena had 10 excellent digs, sharing libero floor time with Max Juangco, against the Angels as the Chargers rose to 3-0 in Pool B.

“I think parang, I’m done with proving myself kasi to anybody else kasi I just want to make sure na I am worth it dito sa team,” she said.

“Kasi nakikita ko, I have talented coaches, talented teammates. So, no matter what other people will say, yung paniniwalaan ko is kung ano yung sinasabi ng coaches ko, ano sinasabi ng teammates ko and I’ll never take this opportunity for granted,” she expressed.

“I think yung pinakamotivation ko is naniniwala sakin yung mga important na tao, which are again, my coaches, my teammates, my family.”

Ravena also admitted that while she has already mastered not giving enough attention to critics, it has also motivated her to be even better on the court.

The Chargers are off to their best start in franchise history and will aim for 4-0 on Thursday against ZUS Coffee.

“I think I’ve grown into understanding that it will never go away. I just have to live with it. Exceed expectations and just really reach my full potential on and off the court I really do my best and criticism kasi, it will always come my way so I don’t really mind it,” said Ravena.

“As long as I can help the team in any way basta mapasalita or masigaw ako, or I’m vocal inside the court, I’ll help them. Ayun lang, I’ll just continue to do it as much as possible, and sana magcontinue lang yung pagiimprove ko not only as a team, but also a player.”