Zero to hero: Kiefer Ravena backs up hype

MANILA, Philippines—There was no better moment to shine for Kiefer Ravena than Saturday night.

After a disappointing scoreless debut from one of the most sought after rookies, Kiefer Ravena announced his arrival for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the 74th UAAP men’s basketball tournament by torching their archrival, the De La Salle Green Archers, with 24 big points before a capacity crowd at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

All Ravena needed was his first six points to erase the stain of a forgettable first game en route to nearly breaking a record.

“I was really excited since I wasn’t able to do anything in my first game,” said the 17-year-old scoring guard.

Ravena’s 22 points in the first half was the most anyone else has scored since the 23-point feat of UST’s Dylan Ababou in 2009.

“After the first six, I got pumped up. I’m thankful my shots went in,” Ravena said.

And more than the scoring lift he gave the Eagles, Ravena displayed his wide range of moves.

He opened up the match with an extension, followed it up with a reverse, an in-your-face pull-up, a swish from downtown, and as the match progressed everyone found themselves up on their feet waiting for the next Ravena basket.

Some of them were even calling out to the other Eagles on the court to give Ravena the leather.

“I was very thankful, too, that my teammates were looking for me during the first half,” said Ravena.

And although he’s used to the atmosphere of an Ateneo-La Salle match in the juniors’ division, Ravena said that there was nothing like experiencing it for the first time in the seniors division.

“It was a different experience,” said Ravena. “Wala akong laway nung umpisa. You shouldn’t really let the crowd affect you or else you will lose focus.”

Expect the spotlight to be fixated on Ravena for the rest of the season, but scoreless or not, starter or not, he says he will be ready.

“I just really have to adjust (to whoever is guarding me) and I trust that my teammates always got my back,” Ravena finished.