Raven Gonzales

Raven Gonzales
No. 9 – Abra Solid North Weavers
PositionCenter
LeagueMPBL
Personal information
Born (2002-10-23) October 23, 2002
Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Career information
High schoolDe La Salle Zobel
CollegeDe La Salle
Playing career2025–present
Career history
2025–presentAbra Solid North Weavers
Career highlights

Raven Angelo Gonzales (né Cortez; born October 23, 2002), formerly known as Raven Cortez, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Abra Solid North Weavers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He played for the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers in high school and the DLSU Green Archers in college.

He has also played for the Philippines internationally, previously taking part in youth competitions.

High school career

Gonzales began attending De La Salle Zobel when he was in Grade 7.[1] He became known during his Grade 9 season with the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers for his size and defensive skills.[2][3] In a game against the UE Junior Warriors, he had 13 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks.[2] He was then selected for the NBTC All-Star Game, and also played in the SLAM Rising Stars Classic.[4][2] He and Forthsky Padrigao then participated in the 2018 Basketball Without Borders Asia event.[5]

However, a MCL injury he suffered during his time with the national team saw Gonzales play only three games in UAAP Season 81, eventually missing the rest of the season.[1] He recovered in time to play in the 2019 SLAM Rising Stars Classic.[6][7] That would be his last official game for more than a year, as the injury was later revealed to be an ACL tear. He then underwent surgery, missing all of UAAP Season 82.[1]

On October 6, 2020, with a year of eligibility remaining with DLSZ, Gonzales committed to the De La Salle Green Archers.[8]

College career

Although Gonzales was eligible for UAAP Season 84, he did not make the final lineup and was named as a COVID replacement.[9] He made his official De La Salle debut during Season 85.[10] In a win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles, their first win over them since 2017, he had an efficient eight points with two blocks.[11] During the season, he suffered a sprained ankle, missing several games.[12][13] Then, in one of his first games back, he had 13 points and four rebounds in a win over the UST Growling Tigers.[14] They did not make the Final Four that year, losing to the Adamson Soaring Falcons in their last game of the season.[15]

During the first round of Season 86, Gonzales was benched for two games, both losses. He was reinserted into the lineup against the UE Red Warriors, and then led DLSU in scoring with 18 points, five rebounds, and three blocks off the bench as they got the win.[16][17] The win also gave De La Salle a 4–3 record at the end of the first round of eliminations.[16] From there, in the second round, he stepped up in his production, as the team went on a seven-game winning streak to sweep the second round.[18][19] In one of their wins, against the FEU Tamaraws, he led them in scoring again with 16 points.[18] They were able to extend their winning streak up to nine games and into the finals before losing to the UP Fighting Maroons in Game 1.[20] De La Salle then won the next two games to win its first UAAP championship since 2016.[21]

In Season 87, De La Salle finished with the best record in the league at 12–2.[22] They made it back to the finals for another rematch against UP.[23] In Game 2, Gonzales contributed eight points, two rebounds, and two blocks in 10 minutes off the bench to force a deciding Game 3.[24] In Game 3, UP won, denying De La Salle of back-to-back titles.[25]

Professional career

Abra Solid North Weavers (2025–present)

On March 1, 2025, Gonzales announced that he would turning pro after he signed with the Abra Weavers of the regional Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, forgoing his two remaining years of eligibility with De La Salle.[26] In his debut with the Weavers, he had 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists in a win over the Biñan Tatak Gel.[27] After a loss to the Pasay Voyagers, he bounched back with 14 rebounds in a win over the Bulacan Kuyas.[28] From there, the Weavers won 36 straight games, including the playoffs, and won the MPBL title.[29] For the season, Gonzales won Rookie of the Year.[30]

Personal life

Raven's younger sister Riane Gonzales plays for the De La Salle Lady Spikers volleyball team. Their mother is Rona Gonzales. In September 2024, both Raven and Riane decided to go by the surname Gonzales from that point onward in honor of Rona.[31][32]

National team career

In 2017, Gonzales was part of the Batang Gilas lineup for the 2017 SEABA U-16 Championship.[33] He joined one of Gilas' tallest frontcourts in years alongside Kai Sotto, Geo Chiu, Bismarck Lina, and Josh Lazaro.[34] They were able to sweep the tournament and win the gold medal.[35] In 2018, he was named to the Gilas Cadets' lineup for the 2018 FIBA U16 Asian Championship.[2] As a backup to Sotto, he had 12 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Malaysia as the duo also combined for five blocks.[36] He also played in the FIBA U-17 World Cup that year, averaging 7.0 points, 4.7 boards, and a steal and a block.[8] During the Philippines' bronze medal game against China in the 2018 FIBA U18 Asian Championship, he injured his right knee.[1] He finished the tournament with averages of 3.2 points and 6.5 rebounds.[8]

In 2021, Gonzales was called up to practice with the senior Gilas Pilipinas team, but had to beg off due to academics.[37]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Leongson, Randolph B. (October 9, 2020). "Set back by injury, Raven Cortez aims to reclaim place among top young stars". Spin.ph. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dolores, Aljo (March 13, 2018). "#SLAMRisingStars 2018: Raven Cortez of Team Hype - SLAMonline Philippines". SLAMonline Philippines. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  3. ↑ Lovenia, Karlo (January 26, 2018). "Raven Cortez is the best young prospect you don't know - SLAMonline Philippines". SLAMonline Philippines. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  4. ↑ Leongson, Randolph B. (March 7, 2018). "Kai Sotto reigns supreme in final NBTC 24 rankings". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  5. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (May 24, 2018). "Batang Gilas aces Padrigao, Cortez earn invites to Basketball Without Borders Asia". Spin.ph. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  6. ↑ Santos, Joaquin. "#SLAMRisingStars 2019: Wake up, Team Hype's Raven Cortez is for real – SLAMonline Philippines". slamonlineph.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  7. ↑ "The 2019 #SLAMRisingStars Awards - SLAM Philippines". SLAM Philippines - All Hoop. All Day. April 2, 2019. Archived from the original on January 19, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 Matel, Philip (October 6, 2020). "La Salle secures commitment from former Gilas Youth center Raven Cortez". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  9. ↑ Li, Matthew (March 24, 2022). "La Salle to have Cortez, Estacio as reserves". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  10. ↑ Pineda, Kyle (September 29, 2022). "PAYBACK: Watch out for the Green Archers – SLAMonline Philippines". slamonlineph.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  11. ↑ Valencia, Justin (October 9, 2022). "UAAP 85 MBB: La Salle ends seven-game drought against Ateneo". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  12. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (November 2, 2022). "UAAP: Minus five players, La Salle absorbs tough loss to FEU". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  13. ↑ Navarro, June (November 5, 2022). "UAAP: Ateneo rolls past slumping La Salle". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  14. ↑ "La Salle saves season with brave comeback over UST Tigers". Spin.ph. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  15. ↑ Valencia, Justin (December 4, 2022). "UAAP 85 MBB: Lastimosa, Adamson topple La Salle, catch last ride bus to Final Four". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  16. 1 2 Garcia, John Mark (October 21, 2023). "Benched in back-to-back losses, Raven Cortez responds with breakout game". Spin.ph. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  17. ↑ Valencia, Justin (October 24, 2023). "Raven Cortez makes most of given time vs UE". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  18. 1 2 Isaga, JR (November 15, 2023). "La Salle pulls away late from FEU, keeps twice-to-beat shot off 7th straight win". RAPPLER. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  19. ↑ Manzano, Diego (November 24, 2023). "UAAP: A look behind the Green Archers' unbeaten run to the Final Four". The LaSallian. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  20. ↑ Manzano, Diego; Ortiz, Gab (November 29, 2023). "UAAP: Green Archers see nine-game run snap at the hands of UP in Finals Game One". The LaSallian. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  21. ↑ CARANDANG, JUSTIN KENNETH (December 6, 2023). "La Salle takes down UP to end 7-year UAAP title drought". GMA News Online. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  22. ↑ Valencia, Justin (November 13, 2024). "UAAP Men's Basketball: NU sends off seniors in style, becomes only team to defeat DLSU and UP". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  23. ↑ III, Angel B. Dukha (November 30, 2024). "UAAP: La Salle back in the Finals vs UP, ousts No. 4 Adamson". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Raven Gonzales makes most of Game 2 burn time by staying ready". Spin.ph. December 14, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  25. ↑ Montejo, Mark Rey (December 15, 2024). "UP exacts revenge on La Salle, captures Season 87 title". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  26. ↑ Li, Matthew (March 1, 2025). "Raven Gonzales bids farewell to La Salle, signs with Abra". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  27. ↑ Times, Tiebreaker (March 9, 2025). "MPBL: Art Dela Cruz puts on show for Ilagan Isabela as Dave Ildefonso stars in Abra's strong start". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Dave Ildefonso, Abra Weavers vent ire on Bulacan Kuyas". Spin.ph. March 24, 2025. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  29. ↑ INQUIRER.net (December 22, 2025). "A champion in its second year, Weavers now the new standard of MPBL excellence". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Dave Ildefonso the hands-down choice as MVP of MPBL season". Spin.ph. December 16, 2025. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  31. ↑ Ganglani, Naveen (September 16, 2024). "DLSU's Raven Gonzales honors mom Rona with name change". All-Star Magazine. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  32. ↑ del Carmen, Lorenzo (September 29, 2024). "Raven honors mom with surname change to Gonzales". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  33. ↑ "6'10" Ethan Kirkness won't play in SEABA U-16 but still committed to Batang Gilas". Interaksyon. May 5, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  34. ↑ "2001-02-born U16 Philippines generation definitely not your father's Batang Gilas". www.fiba.basketball. May 25, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  35. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (May 18, 2017). "Batang Gilas remain perfect princes of SEABA". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  36. ↑ Corp., ABS-CBN. "Twin towers Sotto, Cortez rise in Batang Gilas' narrow win over Malaysia". ABS-CBN SPORTS. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  37. ↑ Li, Matthew (March 14, 2021). "La Salle's twin towers Quiambao, Cortez beg off Gilas camp due to academics". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
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