Ateneo coach Black confident in rookie Ravena

Kiefer Ravena's debut game against Adamson was a struggle but that performance wasn't a signal for Ateneo coach Norman Black to push the panic button. Black was asked during the postgame interview on what he said to Ravena after that first game against the Falcons. "Wala (Nothing)," Black replied. "It's just one game and we actually won that game." The 17-year-old Ravena bounced back in a big way Saturday against archrival La Salle scoring 22 of his 24 points in the first half to lead the Blue Eagles to an 81-72 win over the Green Archers. In his first game playing against the Blue Eagles' chief collegiate foes, Ravena stole the show under the bright lights of an age-old rivalry. Ravena said during the postgame press conference that he was excited to bounce back from that lackluster first game. "Sobrang excited ako na makabawi. First game ko wala akong ginawa pero nanalo pa rin kami (I was excited to bounce back. I failed to contribute in my first game but we still won)," said Ravena. He scored the game's first six points for Ateneo which proved to be enough for the youngster to put that miserable performance against Adamson behind him. In fact, Ravena said that he was focused on the game since the start of their preparations against the Green Archers. "A week prior to this game, I was focused on being a starter. It was my first time to start so I was so focused on this game because La Salle is a great team," said Ravena. Black said that it was fitting to start Ravena against the Green Archers to allow his prized rookie to flourish early on. "It was'’t a good matchup against Adamson. We didn't want to go small against the guards of Adamson which are taller and stronger. With La Salle, they have small guards which allowed us to start Kiefer," said Black. Ravena said that he just have to play good defense when put up against taller guards. "I know that we have Greg (Slaughter) and the others but I have no choice if they put bigger guards to defend me. I just have to play good defense. Mas gusto ng opposing coach na mahirapan ako on defense. I just have to adjust and my teammates have my back," Ravena said. In response, Black said that Ateneo had a similar problem when opponents post up against former Blue Eagle Erik Salamat. "Erik has the same problem, but eventually, nobody can post up against him," Black said. - Reuben Terrado/JVP, GMA News