Focus falls on rookies as NU, Ateneo mix it up

MANILA — Like it or not, focus will be on Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena and National University’s Ray Parks when the two celebrated rookies come face to face for the first time in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament Thursday.

The Blue Eagles—sharing the top spot with idle UST at 2-0—go for the solo lead against the 1-1 Bulldogs at 1 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

Far Eastern University, meanwhile, tries to recover from its first loss when the Tamarawas meet the winless University of the East Warriors in the second game at 3 p.m.

Rebounding from unimpressive debuts, both Ravena and Parks came up with phenomenal numbers in their second outing to power their teams to separate victories.

But Ateneo coach Norman Black and NU mentor Eric Altamirano intend to put the pressure off the two freshmen.

“We want to focus on NU versus Ateneo rather than Bobby Ray versus Kiefer, so it deflates the pressure on those two guys,” said Altamirano. “We tell him you’re important to us, but the other players are also important.”

The Bulldogs, who are gunning for a second victory in three games, are leaning on Cameroonian Emmanuel Mbe, Glenn Khobuntin and Joseph Terso as well.

“I rely on my teammates as much as they rely on me,” said Parks, who had an all-around game of 30 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals in the Bulldogs’ 75-66 tripping of the University of the Philippines last Sunday.

Aside from Ravena, Black also expects vital contributions from Nico Salva, Kirk Long and the three-time champions’ other standout recruit, the 6-foot-11 Greg Slaughter.

“[Ravena] deserves a lot of credit for the way he played, the way he stepped up, but every game will be a different story,” said Black.

The Eagles turned back fierce rival La Salle in an 81-72 decision Saturday where Ravena starred with 24 markers, 10 boards and five steals.

“We expect them to play hard as a team,” said Ravena. “We just have to focus not only on Parks.”

The Tamaraws will be relying on their big men after getting routed by Adamson, 78-59, last Saturday.