Ravena to sit out Ateneo-La Salle game, listed as day-to-day

Much to the disappointment of the Blue Eagles faithful, superstar guard Kiefer Ravena won’t be suiting up when five-time defending champion Ateneo de Manila University rekindles its storied rivalry against De La Salle University on Sunday in the UAAP Season 76 men’s cage wars at the Mall of Asia Arena.

No less than Ateneo coach Bo Perasol relayed the team’s official statement via an SMS message Friday night.

“Kiefer Ravena will not play vs DLSU this Sunday. He’s still recovering from a severe (right) ankle sprain and is listed as day to day,” read the SMS message from Perasol.

Considered the team’s heart and soul following the exodus of five key players led by towering center Greg Slaughter and last year’s Finals MVP Nico Salva, the 6-foot Ravena suffered the ill-timed injury six days prior to the start of the season, according to Perasol in an earlier interview.

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Driven by his competitive fire to play, Ravena forced himself to play against formidable National U last Sunday, coming up with just two points in six attempts in eight limited minutes in the first half.

With Ravena lacking his usual explosiveness, team officials decided not to field him anymore in the second half where the Bulldogs pulled away for a 64-54 victory.

Showing up in street clothes and wearing a protective boot on his right foot, Ravena then sat out their match against Far Eastern University last Wednesday but Ateneo nearly pulled off a stunner, clawing back from an 11-pointy fourth-quarter deficit only to come up short in overtime 75-79.

With Ravena out, the Blue Eagles need to double their collective efforts against the Green Archers, who are coming off a 96-84 victory over University of the Philippines last Wednesday.

La Salle dropped its opening game via a 53-68 overtime decision against last year’s losing finalist University of Santo Tomas last Saturday.