Ravena set to win first MVP award; Tolentino is top rookie
His determination to lead Ateneo back to the postseason has earned prized guard Kiefer Ravena a fitting reward that has eluded him in the past.
Thanks to his season-long brilliance, the 6-foot Ravena clinched the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Most Valuable Player title, further cementing his status as one of the country’s brightest stars in the amateur ranks.
After a forgettable performance last season when he was slowed down by a high ankle sprain and the Blue Eagles eventually saw an end to their once dominant five-year reign, Ravena certainly returned with a bang as he led Ateneo (11-3) to the top spot in the Final Four, armed with a twice-to-beat advantage either against National U or host University of the East.
Based on the official and final tally sent by Imperium Technology Inc, the league’s official statistics crew, and Smart Bro to media outlets on Wednesday, Ravena emerged as the runaway winner with a total of 77.6429 statistical points, built around his game averages of 21.29 points and 5.57 assists–both league-highs–aside from 5.93 rebounds and 1.50 steals in a league-best 35.14 minutes of play.
In the process of proving he’s head and shoulders above his contemporaries, Ravena came through with a handful of game-winning exploits, highlighted by his personal collegiate career-best of 38 markers plus nine assists and six rebounds in their epic 93-91 overtime win over the Red Warriors last August 10 when they came back from 21 points down.
“I just want to play my best and help my team win,” said Ravena, 20, who failed to hoist the highest individual award even in the juniors division despite leading the Blue Eaglets to a “three-peat” under the watchful eyes of current national youth team mentor Jamike Jarin.
“If I get to be the MVP, that’s a bonus for me and my teammates also for my coaching staff, especially with coach Bo kasi siya ‘yung nag-entrust sa akin to be the leader of this team. Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, hindi ko makukuha ‘to. But that’s not my target. Bonus na lang siguro. But it wouldn’t mean anything if we don’t win the championship,” he added.
DLSU’s Jeron Teng came in a distant second with 68.2143 SPs and, along with Ravena, will be joined in this season’s Mythical Team with Far Eastern U ace forward Mac Belo (61.2857 SPs), Ateneo’s athletic wingman Chris Newsome (60.6429) and University of Santo Tomas center Karim Abdul (57.6154 SPs).
Teng and Belo also finished 2-3 in scoring with averages of 18.1 and 16.1 respectively. La Salle’s power forward Jason Perkins led the way in rebounds with a 9.7 average, while UST point guard Sheak Sheriff was tops in steals with 1.6 per contest. NU’s big man Alfred Aroga was no. 1 in blocks with 2.2 swats per game.
Ravena’s teammate, Arvin Tolentino, also clinched the Rookie of the Year plum with ease, collecting a total of 40.2143 SPs, way ahead of two fellow freshmen from La Salle – Prince Rivero who finished second with 28.50 SPs and Julian Sargent at third with 27.4167. Tolentino finished the season with averages of 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds.
Rounding up the Top 10 in the MVP race are Aroga (53.8571 SPs), FEU guard Mike Tolomia (53.7857), NU forward Troy Rosario (52.7857), (52.2857) and Adamson wingman Don Trollano (50.6923).
