Ateneo stars lead UAAP-NCAA awards night

 Key members of Ateneo de Manila University’s four-peat champion team hogged the spotlight on Saturday, receiving major in the UAAP-NCAA Press Corps collegiate awards night at the Topaz Room of the Gateway Suites in Cubao.
Season 74 Rookie of the Year and Mythical Team member Kiefer Ravena led the roster of awardees, emerging as the only freshman in recent memory to be chosen Smart Press Corps MVP for “exemplifying not just brilliance on the hardcourt but also for being a good example to the youth.”

“This is a very precious award. ‘Di lang talent ko on the court ang na-recognize nito but also my actions of the court,” said the 18-year old hoops sensation who recently organized “Fastbreak”, a charity game dedicated to the victim of Typhoon Sendong in the Visayas and Mindanao.
“Di lang puro basketball ang buhay. Kapag my chance ka na tumulong sa iba, dapat gawin mo,” Ravena said. “I would also like to thank the UAAP-NCAA Press Corps for helping my spread the news about the charity game.”

Ravena was also named into the UAAP-NCAA Mythical Five along with teammates Greg Slaughter, Season 74 MVP Bobby Ray Parks of National University, Garvo Lanete of San Beda College and Calvin Abueva of San Sebastian Colllege.
Graduating Ateneo point guard Eman Monfort took home the Maynilad Super Senior plum, while fellow veteran Kirk Long was adjudged Defensive Stopper of the Year.

Finals MVP Nico Salva claimed the Pivotal Player award for being the “most consistent performer” in the UAAP Finals, capped by a perfect 8-of-8 shooting in Game 1.  Last season’s MVP RR Garcia of Far Eastern University bagged the Court General award.
Ateneo coach Norman Black was picked UAAP Coach of the Year after leading the Eagles to a historic four-peat.

With a practically intact line-up, Black described the Eagles’ five-peat bid to be “pretty good” next season.
“Next year, we should be pretty good. Greg (Slaughter) decided to stay with us. Then there’s Kiefer and the rest of the guys. We also have some good recruits to replace our graduating players,” he said. “Hopefully Ryan Buenafe will be back, if he loses weight.” Ravena for his part aims to improve his game further in time for the Eagles’ title defense. “Marami pa akong dapat matutunan with my teammates. Hopefully, we’ll stay health for next season,” he said.

Salva and Slaughter backstopped Ravena.
“We’ll do our best to get another championship,” Salva said.
“We expect to get back in practice soon to prepare ourselves for the next season. For now, we’ll just take a break (before we get into business this summer),” Slaughter said.

source: uaapsport.studio23.tv

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