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Kiefer steals show from Iverson, Ball Up All Stars

Kiefer Ravena and Allen Iverson (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)
Kiefer Ravena and Allen Iverson (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)



With the game tied at 96-all, Kiefer Ravena reminded us again why he is the UAAP Season 77 MVP as he eluded the pesky defense of the visiting Ball Up All Stars with a thrilling drive to the basket and scored on a tough lay up with just 1.3 ticks left in the game to lift his PCWorx squad over the Allen Iverson-mentored Gawad Kalinga side in the “All In” charity basketball event at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

Ravena collaborated with former NBA player and one-time PBA import DerMarr Johnson, who led all scorers with 24 markers, in an amazing 7-0 run in the last 1:07 of the game. Trailing 91-96, the Ateneo star scored on a lay-up off a pick and roll play with San Beda center Olaide Adeogun to slice the Gawad Kalinga lead to just three points. After a defensive stop, Johnson tied the count at 96-all with a three-point shot in the final 36 seconds. Gawad Kalinga muffed an attempt to regain the lead until Ravena was able to weave his own magic against a group of hoops artists to break the deadlock, 98-96. Iverson called a time-out but in the ensuing play, Anthony “Mr. Afrika” Pimble misfired on his attempt.

Ravena and fellow UAAP icon Jeron Teng finished with 16 markers each, while UAAP’s top power forwards Jeth Rosario and Mac Belo added 12 and 11 points respectively.  Adeogun hauled down 11 boards for the PCWorx squad coached by multi-titled PBA guru Tim Cone.  Also playing for PCWorx were Ravena’s younger brother Thirdy, San Beda’s Javee Mocon, San Sebastian’s CJ Perez and La Salle’s Almond Vosotros.  Another former NBA star, Eddy Curry, was unable to suit up for the game but sat on the bench of PCWorx.

Iverson came to town for the charity event aimed to help the Gawad Kalinga Foundation raise funds to build homes for the homeless.  On Tuesday, the 11-time All Star and former NBA MVP known as “the Answer” also conducted a basketball clinic for kids.  He was accompanied by the popular street ball team called the Ball Up All Stars, who are well regarded with their jaw-dropping hoops skills.

The Ball Up All Stars started the game on fire, wowing the crowd at the MOA with their sensational dribbling moves and scoring prowess.  They led by as many as 17 points, at 37-20, midway in the second quarter.  Larry “Bone Collector” Williams sizzled with 20 points, followed by Gary “G” Smith with 19, Ryan “Special FX” Williams with 18, Grayson “The Professor” Boucher with 14, and Pimble with 13.  The other members of the Ball Up squad were Aaron “AO” Owens and Taurian “Air Up There” Fontenette.  Completing the Gawad Challenge team are former PBA greats Jerry Codinera, Renren Ritualo and Willie Miller.

The scores:

PCWorx (98) - Johnson 24, K. Ravena 16, Teng 16, Rosario 12, Belo 11, Perez 7, T. Ravena 6, Adeogun 4, Mocon 2, Vosotros 0.

Gawad Kalinga (96) - Bone Collector Williams 20, Smith 19, Special FX Williams 18, Boucher 14, Pimble 13, Owens 6, Fontenette 2, Codinera 2, Ritualo 2, Miller 0.