U-18 cager Ravena named to Fiba Asia Mythical Five

After stamping his class in local basketball, high school sensation Kiefer Ravena has also emerged as one of Asia’s best. Ravena was named in the All-Asian Mythical Team and also copped the Best Forward award in the Fiba Asia Under-18 Basketball Championship over the weekend in Sana’a, Yemen, just weeks after the UAAP Finals MVP powered the Ateneo Blue Eaglets to their third straight juniors championship. “We’re very proud of him,” said Mozzy Ravena of her 16-year-old son with former pro cager Bong Ravena. “We only found out about it [yesterday] because we weren’t able to attend the closing ceremony.” Ravena finished second overall in steals (2.6 spg) aside from ranking sixth in points (18.6) and seventh in assists (2.9) to lead the Philippines to fifth place, the country’s best finish in the Fiba Asia Under-18 event in 16 years. Joining Ravena in the Mythical Team were MVP Wang Zhein of China, guards Kim Giyun of South Korea and Guo Ailun of China and Best Defensive Player Amer Al Sati of Iran. Ravena arrived Sunday and attended the Ateneo bonfire on the same night in celebration of the school’s rare basketball feat. Ateneo captured its third straight crown both in the UAAP seniors and juniors divisions, while the grade school team also copped its fourth straight title in the Small Basketeers Philippines Championship. Ravena averaged 26.7 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2.7 steals in the UAAP Finals series. The 5-foot-10 swingman was also cited by Ateneo coach Norman Black as one of his top rookie prospects for next year’s seniors team.