DLSU’s Raven Gonzales honors mom Rona with name change

Photo sources: UAAP Media Team, Rona Gonzales’ Facebook

DLSU Green Archers big man Raven Gonzales made a big change prior to the start of UAAP Season 87 by shifting the name printed on the back of his green-and-white jersey from Cortez to Gonzales.

The third-year standout from De La Salle Zobel explained this decision was made to honor his mother, Rona Gonzales, who has been the biggest source of inspiration and motivation in the 21-year-old’s life and blossoming basketball career.

‘Yong masasabi ko lang diyan is all about my mom. We decided that we’re gonna take my mom’s name,” he told ALL-STAR Magazine when asked about the name change. “We’ve been having this talk between our family kung kelan. We decided na we would change before the UAAP season.”

Raven’s younger sister Riane, who plays for La Salle’s women’s volleyball team, will also change her name from Cortez to Gonzales when her Season 87 campaign begins. This joint effort from the siblings was made to pay tribute to the most important person in their lives and was of their own decision.

“She’s happy, of course. She’s very happy na it changed,” Raven said about his mom’s reaction when she found out. “Everything I do naman, I do for God and for my family, especially my mom.”

Rona raised the two La Salle student-athletes and played the role of both mother and father in their upbringing, which is something her kids cherish until this very day, and likely always will.

“I consider her to be my hero. She’s been there all the time, every decision I make. If wala siya ngayon, walang Raven Gonzalez,” said the Green Archer.