Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena has high praise for University of the East spitfire Von Batiller. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Kiefer Ravena appreciates talent when he sees one.
Amid the deafening beats of the drums and cheers, Ravena offered some words of encouragement to University of the East’s rookie transferee Von Batiller.
And just before Ravena talked to Batiller, the General Santos City native hit a difficult shot in the face of the reigning UAAP MVP.
“That’s a great kid,” Ravena said Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena after his Blue Eagles stopped Batiller’s Red Warriors, 77-72. “He’s a kid with a lot of potential.”
Batiller finished with 19 points, most of which came off steals leading to fastbreak layups.
Ravena said Batiller has been the spark plug for his team.
“He’s the catalyst for UE, and we’re fortunate we were able to cut his minutes by around eight due to his foul trouble,” Ravena said.
“It was during his absence from the floor when we had the chance to establish a lead.”
Even Ravena’s coach, Bo Perasol, also knows how tough of a team UE is with Batiller leading the way.
“With Batiller playing like that, we had to put it together,” Perasol said.