Kiefer, Ola, Amer, Newsome wow Iloilo crowd in Dinagyang Fest charity game

What a way to kick off the famous Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo.

Last January 17, a charity game was held in Iloilo City that featured reigning four-peat NCAA champion San Beda and former five-peat UAAP king Ateneo at the packed University of San Agustin gym. Although the event was put together in no more than two weeks before the target date, tickets were sold out in just days. The sports-loving people of Iloilo City would not miss the rare chance of seeing two collegiate basketball giants colliding before their very eyes.

And the Blue Eagles and Red Lions certainly did not disappoint. They battled to a sizzling 40-minute explosive game that San Beda won, 106-104.

King Blue Eagle Kiefer Ravena was prepared to put on a show in the home province of his father Bong. He was, after all, the most recognized personality among all the participants. After the first half, the Sinag Pilipinas ace guard already tallied 18 markers. He was unstoppable with his fade away jumpers, “contra-tiempo” penetrations, and sharp three-point sniping. The home crowd was so thunderstruck with Kiefer’s astonishing hoops skills. As expected, he led all scorers after the match, finishing with 28 points.

San Beda’s hulking Nigerian center Ola Adeogun was also a big hit. As soon as he entered the gym, the crowd was already enthralled with his imposing presence. And as soon as he saw action, Iloilo City came to know part of the reason why the Red Lions continue to rule the NCAA. The 6’8” Lagos native was a monster in the game. Ateneo’s two African recruits, both also hailing from Nigeria – Chibueze Ikeh and Kingsley Ewenike – alternated on shackling Adeogun but he still imposed his will inside the paint. But what really brought the house down were two of his emphatic slams. One was an in-your-face jam that almost snapped the backboard off a fast break play. The other was a 180-degree dunk that sent the fans into a frenzy. Ola amassed 24 points and 12 boards.

Many personalities from both camps think that Ravena and San Beda star Baser Amer draw out the best from each other. The two topnotch guards have been rivals since their high school days. But off the court, they are best buddies. Amer is like an adopted family member of the Ravenas. He spends days in the Ravena residence occasionally.

On the court however, both Kiefer and Baser try to outplay each other. It has always been this way in an Ateneo-San Beda tussle in the last three years.

And so, as Ravena shot the lights out in the USA gym, Amer thrilled the audience with his outstanding passing prowess. He anchored a huge third quarter rally that eventually gave the Red Lions the driver’s seat with his dizzying blitz to the basket and bullet-like passes. He never played this brilliantly in the entire NCAA Season 89. The pride of Davao City collected a mind-boggling 19 assists and 17 points.

Blue Eagle forward Chris Newsome proved in this game that he could be a reliable scorer for Ateneo. When the Red Lions put the clamps on Ravena, he took matters in his own hands and breezed past all his guards. He showed remarkable one-on-one moves, driving to the basket and finishing with a variety of shots or drilling jump shots off step-back moves. Newsome will be twice as effective for the Blue Eagles this year. He finished with 23 points.

The Blue Eagles came without some of their key players, like Von Pessumal and Nico Elorde. But high school standout Jme Escaler and reserve forward Joma Adornado ably filled in their spots, contributing 11 and 10 points respectively. Ikeh and Ewenike combined for 21 markers.

The Red Lions paraded their triumphant 2013 NCAA roster including outgoing skipper Rome Dela Rosa, but minus David Semerad who is still undergoing therapy. Anthony Semerad however played big in the second half to chip in 11 points, while Dela Rosa and 2013 NCAA Finals MVP Arth Dela Cruz added 10 apiece.

Local boy Richie Villaruz of San Beda also gave his “Kababayans” a sense of pride as he helped his team’s cause with six markers, including a long triple in the opening minutes of the game.

Ateneo started strong and even erected a 17-point bubble in the second quarter before the Red Lions managed to slice it down to 10 points by lemon time. San Beda staged its own vigorous attack in the middle of the third quarter to build an 11-point advantage by the payoff period.

But the Blue Eagles put up their “one big fight” in the final two minutes until back-to-back treys from Ravena and Adornado gave them a one-point lead with less than a minute left in the game. Then Amer and Adeogun finished the game strong with converted foul shots in endgame to regain the upper hand for SBC with less than 20 ticks remaining. By the dying seconds, the Red Lions were ahead by five points. But after converting on a free throw, the Ateneans applied a full court press and managed to steal the ball and score to chop down the deficit to just two. But time ran out on the Blue Eagles as the Bedans escaped with the hard-earned victory.

The game also featured coaches who hail from the region. San Beda's Boyet Fernandez is from nearby Bacolod City while Ateneo's Bo Perasol has roots in Iloilo.

After the game, the crowd swarmed to the playing court for photographs and autographs as they appreciated the great show displayed by both visiting teams. It was a great start to the weeklong fiesta.

Before the evening game, both delegations had a tour of the Iloilo City Hall, probably the country’s most beautiful local government office building, which features a marvelous gold-plated statue at the rooftop dome. They also met with city mayor Patrick Jed Mabilog, who gamely showed them around the eye-catching roof deck.

Because of the huge success of the event, City Sports official Ruding Villaruz vowed to organize a pocket tournament featuring teams from Metro Manila and the local region sometime in March this year.

Proceeds of the charity game will go to the typhoon victims in Ajuy, Iloilo.