Rising Star: Kiefer Ravena

Kiefer Ravena, the ‘Blue Mamba’, tops Twitter global trending

By: Celest Flores



MANILA, Philippines – Kiefer Ravena has landed.

His exceptional performance at the 74th season of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament Saturday against their archrivals, La Salle, announced to all at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and beyond that this Eagle has come to play.

And in this age of the Internet, Ravena’s outstanding court exploits were feted on Twitter where he was the number one trending topic worldwide for most of Saturday afternoon, surpassing even Jennifer Lopez and husband, Marc Anthony.

“Ladies and gentlemen, presenting, the Kiefer Ravena show,” which was posted @carambs.

“Ang galing ni ‘BLUE MAMBA’ Kiefer Ravena!” said @nahyumang, comparing Ravena to Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Byrant, who is known as the “Black Mamba.”
And even fans from La Salle were all praises for the collegiate rookie:

“I’ve always been a Green Archer fan… but this Blue Eagle Kiefer Ravena is the bomb…. so A’teneo it is!” said @kat_is_tough.

“His basketball IQ is a gift from God,” said @katboado.

“Can someone please stop Kiefer Ravena,” begged @sethxmacalintal.

“Congrats ADMU. Just too much of Kiefer Ravena in the first half. Maybe if he remained scoreless in this game, we could’ve won the match,” shared @dae_sarmiento.
“Every person here is focusing their eyes to Kiefer Ravena even Lasallians cheer for him,” said @iAMallanaLM.

Those who didn’t know Ravena were forced to search him in Google while others thought he was one of the characters of “Harry Potter,” being ranked along some of the movie’s characters on Twitter:
“Napagoogle naman ako kung sino
si Kiefer Ravena,” according to @devonmahal.

“You know #harrypotter owns twitter when Kiefer Ravena, Albus Severus Potter, Severus Snape, HP7 and Voldemort are trending worldwide,” said @iLiveLoveLife.

Of course, no one can be prouder than the Ateneans themselves:

“Kiefer Ravena and Ateneo are trending. I am so proud,” said @LightYoFireSeop.
As for Ravena, all this new found popularity after a forgettable performance against Adamson University last week is all part of the game.

And now that even the world is watching, Ravena says he’s ready.

Ravena shines as Ateneo trumps archrival La Salle

By Celest R. Flores



MANILA, Philippines – Kiefer Ravena atoned for his scoreless debut with 24 huge points as Ateneo turned back its fiercest rival La Salle, 81-72, in the 74th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
Although Ravena only scored two points in the second half, the highly-touted rookie from Ateneo high school, did tough work defensively contributing 10 rebounds and five steals for the Blue Eagles.

“Kiefer performed very well and he gave us a big lift especially in the first half,” said Ateneo head coach Norman Black.
Emman Monfort, meanwhile, saved the three time-defending champions from a meltdown as he went six-from-six from the line in the last minute of the game.
Monfort, along with Kirk Long, finished with 10 points, Nico Salva, who caught fire in the third quarter, added 18 points.

Greg Slaughter, the star in Ateneo’s win against Adamson, struggled in the face of La Salle’s stubborn defense, managing just seven points and six rebounds.
With the win, Ateneo has kept a perfect record early in the season while La Salle absorbed its second loss in as many games.

After a dominant three quarters, fatigue caught up with the Blue Eagles as they were plagued with turnovers that allowed the Green Archers to pull closer.
Returning guard LA Revilla showcased his wide arsenal of moves, finishing with 22 points, as he singlehandedly carried La Salle back into the ball game after trailing by as many as 19 points.

The Green Archers managed to cut the Eagles’ lead to five, 70-75, with over a minute left in the game, with Revilla dropping a 10-point bomb in the payoff period, before fouling out.

Kiefer Ravena: The Phenom stays home

By MAV C. GONZALES
04/12/2011 | 01:13 PM



There is no more doubt that Kiefer Ravena will play for Ateneo.

Despite Kiefer announcing his decision a couple of months ago, some people were still left unconvinced until he donned the blue-and-white in competition.

Well those reservations were answered when Kiefer played as a legitimate Blue Eagle in the Fil-Oil Pre-Season Tournament last weekend. And he did not just play. He basically carried the team to its first win against defending NCAA champions San Beda Red Lions. With 25 points composed mostly of crucial baskets (who could forget the alley hoop to Greg Slaughter?), it’s safe to say Kiefer has broken into collegiate basketball.

The high school phenom

While other high school students were just hoping to pass college entrance tests, Kiefer was busy deciding which offer he would take.

Kiefer is the first freshman to make it straight to the Ateneo Blue Eaglet’s UAAP lineup. He led the team to three UAAP Juniors championships during his high school career. Aptly named Season 73 Finals Most Valuable Player, he averaged 20 points and 5.2 assists per game in his last year.

High school basketball phenomena happen rarely so when they do, talks on their college choice never end. Kiefer received offers from several schools. He even considered playing college basketball in the United States, but received no concrete offer from a Division I school because of his age.

Only 17-years-old, Kiefer is too young to go straight to college in the US. He would probably be sent back to fourth year high school if he was to play there.

“Mabubugbog ako masyado don. Sa States, students graduate from high school at 18 or 19. Eh yung mga kalaban mo dun athletic na, malalaki pa," he says.

Then again, Kiefer doesn’t consider height a hindrance to playing abroad. Besides, he plays as a guard.

“If you work hard and you do your best lang, kahit gaano ka kaliit, maugustuhan ka naman ng coach," he adds.

“Hindi nagpapa-presyo"

During the long – and for Ateneans, painful – wait on Kiefer's official announcement, there have been mixed responses. Many blue die-hards kept their fingers crossed, hoping the six years Kiefer spent in Ateneo was enough to keep him loyal. After all, putting him in the Blue Eagles’ lineup would be the last nail towards a four-peat.

Yet there were others who felt like the whole thing's been blown out of proportion. Sure he’s an exceptional basketball player, but the choice he is making is just that – a choice on which school he would study in and play for.

Why did he take months to pick a university anyway?

“Hindi naman sa nagpapa-presyo ako o nagpapatagal, pero it’s a life-changing decision. I really needed time to think about it personally. I hope I made some of them [critics] happy, since I went to Ateneo pa rin naman," he explains.

Rumors also circulated that Kiefer would hold a press conference just to announce his decision.

“Impossible naman ata na magpapa-presscon para lang sa’kin. The focus isn’t just on me. There are a lot of other high school players. I announced my decision nga through Facebook lang, status pa," he adds.

Contrary to what many people think, Kiefer didn’t receive anything special from Ateneo. He says that he gets what the other players get. The biggest factor on his choice to stay is loyalty. That simple. In fact, as early as last June, he was already pretty much set on going to Ateneo.

“I applied only to Ateneo. I didn’t take tests other than the ACET," he says. “It’s everyone’s high school dream to play for Ateneo in college. Aside from the winning tradition, it’s the quality education that’s important. Okay din yung campus and teammates ko."

Kiefer may have been the golden boy in high school, with extremely passionate fans who ask him to autograph their bodies. However, he’s ready to leave that part of his life behind and go to college.

“Sawa na ko sa mukha ng mga classmates ko kasi block section kami since second year," he kids. “I’m going to miss my classmates, but I’m really excited to go to college. It’s like freedom. Palipat-lipat ka na ng classroom, tapos may freecuts. Exciting."

Just like any other boy, he’s also thrilled to finally have female classmates, although that means less jokes and pranks. Speaking of girls, Kiefer keeps mum on whether there would be anyone special cheering him on as he dons the Blue and White next UAAP season.

“My parents! They’re the special-est," he laughs. “Well I do hope someone would cheer for me. We’ll see."

Still open to playing in the US

Although Kiefer is already set on playing for the Blue Eagles, he’s not closing the doors on playing abroad given that the offer comes from a reputable school.

“If it’s a top school in the US, siguro sila Coach Norman would allow me to go there. It’s also a chance to represent the school and the country. I can say that Ateneo molded me and trained me, and it’s gonna be good for them too," he says. “Pero di ko muna iniisip yun kasi may UAAP pa."

The Ateneo Blue Eagles are currently enjoying three consecutive crowns in the UAAP. With the team’s core intact and additional players coming in, a four-peat may not be too far off.

“Hindi lang ako makakasagot kung makaka-four-peat, kundi yung mga seniors. I’m just a rookie. The seniors have earned their minutes. They’ve earned their respect already. And that’s what I’ll be trying to earn – one practice, one day at a time," he ends.

With the game he played in the Fil-Oil, he’s earned my respect already. -- OMG, GMA News

"the BLUE MAMBA"

Kiefer Ravena Blue Eagles' Debut vs. SBC in Fil-Oil, 4/9/11