MANILA, Philippines - Reigning MVP Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo and his batchmates from the class of 2011 are all eager to exit with a bang in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tourney.
“It’s my last year and I want to win it for Ateneo,” said Ravena, who’s on a two-year drought after copping two diadems during the Eagles’ five-peat romp.
“I’ll give my best for the community since they deserve the championship,” he added.
Ravena’s rival from back in their high school days, Kevin Ferrer of University of Santo Tomas, is still hunting for that breakthrough title.
Ferrer feels the void considering his teammates in the Philippine youth team that competed in the Fiba Asia Under-18 championship back in 2010 struck gold in the UAAP already. Ravena has two rings and Gelo Alolino won it with National U last year. Jeron Teng of La Salle, who entered the UAAP in Season 75, captured the title on his sophomore year.
“They have all won that’s why I’m really determined to win it on my final year,” said Ferrer, member of the UST crew that lost to Ateneo then DLSU in successive finals in Seasons 75 and 76.
Another of their contemporaries – Mike Tolomia of Far Eastern – is seeking the same objective.
Tolomia and the Tams fell short in their title drive last season and they feel now is the right time to go all the way.