MANILA, Philippines - Kiefer Ravena is a player with a mission – to steer Ateneo back to where it belongs in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
Brandishing an improved long-range shooting, Ravena fired 14 of his career-high 29 points in the payoff period as the Blue Eagles pinned on reigning titlist La Salle a second straight loss with a 97-86 victory in another chapter of their storied rivalry before a crowd of 17,344 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With this remarkable performance by the fourth-year star, Ravena was named the UAAP Press Corps-ACCEL Quantum Plus/316 Player of the Week.
Ravena dropped four triples in the payoff period as Ateneo, which trailed by nine points in the early goings, pulled away with an 85-71 advantage, with 2:09 remaining.
Ravena, who went 5-of-7 beyond the arc, also had five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 29 minutes of play.
“It was one summer of really working hard. It also pays off na nasa kondisyon ka,” said Ravena, who missed a couple of games early last season due to injury.
The Eagles are off to their best start in three years since 2011 when they won their first 13 consecutive matches before copping a fourth straight crown.
“It’s a good win definitely. We really stepped up,” said Ravena. “Natalo namin ang defending champions but that does not say anything. It’s not that times two yung panalo kapag tinalo mo ang defending champion. It’s still 2-0.”
Ravena, who had 22 points in Ateneo’s season-opening 79-57 win over Adamson last July 13, bested Roi Sumang of University of the East and Gelo Alolino of National University for the weekly plum backed by Bactigel hand sanitizer, Doctor J alcohol, Mighty Mom anti-bacteria.
In those two wins, Ravena, a former Rookie of the Year winner, is averaging 25.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.5 steals per game.