Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
UAAP: Ateneo, La Salle delight in return of big UAAP crowd
UAAP: Ateneo, La Salle delight in return of big UAAP crowd
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 14, 2022 06:45 AM PHT
Audience members wear pink during the 2nd round match of the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball between the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles and the De La Salle University Green Archers on Tuesday. Attendees were encouraged by both universities to wear the color amid their storied rivalry. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines -- The sound of drums and a capacity crowd welcomed the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and the De La Salle University Green Archers when they stepped onto the Mall of Asia Arena court on Tuesday night.
The UAAP had allowed fans to watch in person since April 5, but only on Tuesday did they allow each school's drummers inside the venue. It made for a more intense, exciting atmosphere that delighted the players of the rival teams.
"Nakaka-miss 'yung feeling na lumabas ka pa lang ng dugout, may tumitili na, may sumisigaw na. Sobrang na-miss namin 'yun, and also the drums," Ateneo team captain Gian Mamuyac said after their game. "Iba talaga feeling 'pag may drums na."
The UAAP said the total gate attendance for Tuesday was 11,124, easily the biggest crowd to watch the collegiate league since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ADVERTISEMENT
The fans watched as the Blue Eagles used a blistering third quarter run to pull away for a 75-68 triumph against the Green Archers, after having settled for a three-point lead at the break.
SJ Belangel, who scored 15 points in the win, credited the fans for boosting their energy in the contest.
"Sobrang nakaka-miss talaga 'yung fans. Noong pagka-labas pa lang ng dugout, actually, we're already pumped up na. Sobrang pumped up talaga, kasi hearing all the drums and all the fans na puno 'yung arena," he said.
Even the Green Archers, although stung by another loss to their archrivals, celebrated the return of a big crowd -- something both teams were used to in the pre-pandemic years.
"That's added energy, added motivation for the guys, even sa akin, 'di ba," La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren said. "It gets you more excited, with the crowd. I'm happy the crowd is back."
ADVERTISEMENT
Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin hailed members of both communities for showing up on a Tuesday night in support of their teams.
"Great to have the fans back. It's been a long time since we've seen that, felt that," he said. "Great job by both the La Salle fans and the Ateneo fans."
"It was a great environment, and certainly something we've all missed a lot," he added.
Kiefer Ravena excited for new chapter in life as husband, father
Kiefer Ravena excited for new chapter in life as husband, father
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published May 25, 2025 08:25 PM PHT
Yokohama B-Corsairs star Kiefer Ravena during a watch party for Game 2 of the 2025 B.League Finals, May 25, 2025 at Gateway 2 in Quezon City. Handout/First Tier Media
MANILA -- The coming month will be an eventful one for Kiefer Ravena, who is preparing to enter a new chapter of his life.
The basketball side has been dealt with: Ravena signed an extension with the Yokohama B-Corsairs last week, keeping him with the B.League side for at least another year.
"I'm very excited and looking forward to the big day," Ravena said of his wedding.
ADVERTISEMENT
For Ravena, the changes that will happen in his personal life should only fuel him when he returns to the court for the B-Corsairs. The guard has no doubt that becoming a husband and a father will increase his motivation to perform.
"Just being able to start up a new direction of my life, being a family man, getting married next month, and just having a new motivation to play and continue to believe in the things and answer the question why I do this, 'di ba?" Ravena told reporters at the sidelines of a watch party for the B.League Finals, Sunday at a mall in Quezon City.
"So malaking factor siya for me into wanting to play more. It keeps me hungry, keeps me more competitive, and now I could easily say na you know, I’ll make basketball fun again knowing that I play for a few more people in my life," he added.
Having been a professional basketball player since 2017, preparing for a game is now second nature to Ravena. Gearing up for fatherhood, however, is an entirely different question and one that the "Phenom" is still navigating.
"Pag laro, kaunting kembot-kembot lang, pwede ka na maglaro," he said. "Dito, mas seryosohan … Marami ang involved, hindi lang ikaw."
Ravena is reassured not only because of Mackey, but also because of the people in his life whom he is already counting on for advice. In this regard, he sees his upcoming journey into fatherhood as very similar to his journey in basketball.
"As a basketball player, I've always been a student of the game. And now that I go into fatherhood and being a family man, I ask questions to the experienced ones. Get their knowledge, pick their brains, and hopefully apply it to my own," he said. "See where it goes, see where life takes me into that next journey."
ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.
Our website is made possible by displaying online
advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting
us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.
Our website is made possible by displaying online
advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting
us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.
Yokohama B-Corsairs star Kiefer Ravena during a watch party for Game 2 of the 2025 B.League Finals, May 25, 2025 at Gateway 2 in Quezon City. Handout/First Tier Media
