Kiefer Ravena was formally crowned as the Most Valuable Player of the 78th season of the UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament early Saturday afternoon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ravena, who posted norms of 18.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.2 steals in the regular season, led the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles to a fourth place finish in the tournament.
Unlike most of the usual Most Valuable Player speeches that fans have been accustomed to all throughout the years, besides the usual appreciation for family, fans, and teammates, Ateneo’s Smart Elite ambassador shared the most prestigious individual award in the UAAP with a rival, University of Santo Tomas’ team captain and Ravena’s batchmate Kevin Ferrer.
Ferrer was second in the MVP statistical points race in accumulating 67.35 statistical points, 2.15 points shy of Ravena’s 69.5 SP’s. Moreover, Ferrer has led the Growling Tigers to the Finals.
“Sa amin ni Kevin, 1-1 na kami sa MVP,” Ravena shared. “Nung fourth year high school kami si Kevin nag-MVP nun, now ako naman.”
He then disclosed that he has been impressed with the growth and maturity in Ferrer’s game all throughout the years. “I’m sharing the award to him because of the companionship and the spirit of competition between us,” Ravena said. “I’m proud of Kevin and how he represented his school.”
Moreover, Ravena thinks that everyone from the Mythical Five deserves the MVP crown. “Alfred (Aroga) carried his team to the playoffs when everyone was counting them out. Si Jeron (Teng) kayod talaga ang ginawa niya for his team. Then, siyempre si Ed (Daquioag) and Kevin (Ferrer) nasa Finals sila ngayon,” he shared. “Everyone deserves this award.”
When asked about his future, Ravena disclosed that he is set to enter a FIBA-sanctioned club 3-on-3 basketball tournament to be held in Doha, Qatar on the 8th of December to the 12th. “I’m just maximizing the time that I have here,” he said. “We are joing a three-on-three tournament led by Coach Eric Altamirano. Me, together with Jeron, San Beda’s Ola Adeogun, and Perpetual’s Bright Akhuetie are set to enter.”
When asked about the PBA D-League, Ravena is still unsure, saying it is currently not in his plans. “Hindi pa talaga clear yung gusto ko ngayon.”
“If may opportunity to play for Gilas, I’ll take it. So I could play with the pros and represent the country as well.”
Or maybe he could pursue a final chance to don the Blue-and-White for the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team. “I’ve been practicing with them and I plan to support them.”
“Cross-training ko kasi siya since the beginnning of they year,” he furthered. He then shared that volleyball is helping him gain new skills and strength to further sharpen his basketball skills.
Whatever track Kiefer gets into, one thing is for certain: everyone will miss Ravena playing in the collegiate ranks.
