Naveen Ganglani
FROM THE STANDS. Kiefer Ravena (L) and Alyssa Valdez (R) watch on as Ateneo takes on UP. Josh Albelda/RAPPLER
MANILA, Philippines – Thirdy Ravena played the best game of his UAAP career on Wednesday, September 28, with 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists in an Ateneo Blue Eagles win over the UP Fighting Maroons at the Mall of Asia Arena.
That Thirdy recorded his career-high in the first game of the season that his elder brother, former UAAP MVP Kiefer Ravena, got to watch live may not just be a coincidence.
“Of course,” Thirdy said post-game, when asked if big brother's presence was extra motivation.
“I’m happy that he’s back. Happy he was able to finally watch a game [live]. He’s been watching, even in the States, which is why he would be lacking sleep, because he was watching the games.
Kiefer, who also helped lead Ateneo to two UAAP titles during his 5-year tenure with the team, returned to Manila just this week after spending the last 3 months training in the United States to chase his NBA dream.
“It’s a great feeling that he’s here again,” said Thirdy, who’s helped lead Ateneo to a 4-2 record in UAAP Season 79, “so it’s fun to play knowing he can watch me and how the team is performing.”
Kiefer was watching the game with former UAAP volleyball MVP Alyssa Valdez, his mother Mozzy, and a few friends.
“It’s great to watch. It’s my first game to watch live and he (Thirdy) came out, played very big - especially against Coach Bo [Perasol],” Ravena said in Tagalog.
Perasol, who’s now calling the shots for the Maroons, coached Kiefer in Ateneo from 2013-2015. The elder of the Ravena brothers also made it a point to watch this match in order to catch up with his former head coach.
“I’m happy that the win went to Ateneo,” said Kiefer, who shared that watching the Blue Eagles from the stands instead of being on the playing court is a difficult transition.
“It’s quite hard. Alyssa even said that while I was watching, it was like I was a coach. I’m not enjoyable to watch a game with, because I analyze everything,” he said.
“Even for me, it’s still an adjustment period. I miss playing for Ateneo, I miss playing for the blue and white, so it’s a different look for me watching.”
Kiefer also discussed how impressed he’s been with the effort being put forward by Ateneo every game. Despite losing 7 players to academic issues over the summer and then losing scorer Aaron Black to injury, the Blue Eagles are currently in second place in the league standings.
“People gotta understand that this is a team of 19, 20-year-olds [who are] trying to play against older guys, and just trying to fit in, and do the best they can, so that’s what’s most important with these kids, because they give 110% every game, win or loss,” said Kiefer, who later added:
“All of them can perform. What’s nice about this team, they can surprise a lot of people. They can surprise a lot of people.” – Rappler.com
