King Eagle reaches new heights as MVP

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo skipper Kiefer Ravena, the heart and soul of the fancied Blue Eagles and the league’s leading scorer and assist man, soared above the rest as he won the coveted MVP plum in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tourney.

Taking charge of a young team that’s out for redemption after missing its usual place in the semis last season, Ravena has embraced the role with cold-blooded efficiency and put up one splendid performance after another not only to lead AdMU to the top but also earn for himself the coveted individual plum.

The 20-year-old Ravena amassed a league-best 77.6429 statistical points (SPs) after the 14-game elimination phase to beat La Salle’s Jeron Teng (68.2143), Far Eastern’s Mac Belo (61.2857), teammate Chris Newsome (60.6429) and University of Santo Tomas’ Karim Abdul (57.6154) for the award.

Rounding out the Top 10 in SPs were National U’s Alfred Aroga (53.8571), FEU’s Mike Tolomia (53.7857), NU’s Troy Rosario (52.7857), La Salle’s Jason Perkins (52.2857) and Adamson’s Don Trollano (50.6923).

The UAAP determines its basketball awardees solely on statistics.

Per report by the league’s statistician Imperium and Smart Bro, Ravena topped the UAAP in scoring with a 21.2 average spiked by a 38-point explosion in the first round and led the way in assist (5.6 per game) and assist-to-turnover ration (2.1). He was No. 2 in steals with 1.5, next to University of Santo Tomas’ Jan Sheriff (1.6).

This will be the first Season MVP accolade for Ravena, who previously netted Rookie of the Year and Mythical Team honors in Season 74. Back in his juniors’ days, he won Finals MVP twice.

Good news comes in two for Ravena as he was also adjudged the UAAP Press Corps-Accel Quantum Plus/3XVI Player of Week yesterday for being instrumental in Ateneo’s gutsy come- from-behind 68-64 win over FEU last Saturday that secured for them the No. 1 spot.

Ravena said he’s thankful for the MVP plum but stressed he’s more focused on the ultimate prize – the championship – for redemption- seeking Ateneo.

Meanwhile, Afril Bernardino of unbeaten NU Lady Bulldogs captured the MVP honors in the women’s division with 69.5714 SPs.

Bernardino, who had averages of 15.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 assist, and 1.4 block, nosed out Ateneo’s Danica Jose (66.8571), UST’s Lore Rivera (65.3571), and teammates Shelley Gupilan (56.9286) and Gemma Miranda (56.5714).