Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Most players have a subpar game while playing through an injury.
And there are only a few — part of a rare breed — like Kiefer Ravena, who play through the pain and show absolutely no signs of it.
Playing with a bad left ankle and admitting he’s only at “75 percent,” the Ateneo superstar seemed as if he’s in full strength after displaying one of the most fascinating shooting performances the UAAP has seen in recent memory.
READ: Heat check: Ravena fires 6 straight 3s, 21 points in first quarter vs NU
While everyone at Mall of Asia Arena was left in disbelief as Ravena put defending champion National University in a first quarter maelstrom, his former coach, who was on the opposite bench, wasn’t surprised at all.
“I’ve never seen someone do that, but if there’s someone who could do it, it’s Kiefer,” said Bulldogs head coach Eric Altamirano, who coached Ravena as a member of the Philippine Youth team.
READ: Ateneo solidifies hold of third spot with win over NU
Ravena, who hurt his ankle last Wednesday in an 80-74 win over University of Santo Tomas, said that with his explosiveness limited by his injury, he was forced to take outside shots.
And during the first 10 minutes of the game, the first six shots he took from behind-the-arc went in en route to a 21-point opening period. He finished with 32 points.
“I was taking off-balance shots. Good thing the Lord guided it through,” the graduating guard said of his performance after leading the Blue Eagles to a 68-59 victory over the Bulldogs on Sunday.