Kiefer Ravena comes to brother Thirdy’s defense

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo Blue Eagles star Kiefer Ravena is not happy with the criticism that his younger brother and teammate, Thirdy Ravena, has received after Team Manager Epok Quimpo confirmed this week that the younger Ravena will be academically ineligible for the 2015 UAAP season. 

Thirdy, an incoming sophomore Communications Technology Management major in Ateneo, fell 0.13 short of the 1.8 QPI (Quality Point Index) average the university requires its student-athletes to attain for competition eligibility.  

“It’s really disappointing,” said Kiefer, the reigning UAAP men’s basketball MVP who will play his fifth and final season of eligibility in the upcoming season. “I was really looking forward to playing more with him on the court. Shit happens. It just happened to be na siya yung tinamaan nang ganon (he’s the one who got hit).”

The elder Ravena brother didn’t specify from whom or how, but did express his displeasure at the negative comments being thrown Thirdy’s way. 

“People are saying about him not being able to study and talk about… I guess those people don’t know a lot,” Kiefer said. 

“Those people don’t know anything, they just talk and talk. I dare them to study in Ateneo and play at the same time. You can put that online or anything – I just dare them to study [in Ateneo] and probably they won’t talk much shit no more and just keep their mouths shut.” 

Ravena did say that what happened to Thirdy – who told Rappler he’s using his ineligibility as a growing experience – is a lesson for the rest of the Blue Eagles. 

“It’s not just for him; it’s a learning lesson for each and everyone of us in the team na no matter who you are, no matter how important you are in the team, each and every one of us, we’re student-athletes. We have priorities in being able to study and balance our academics at the same time.” 

Kiefer also said that he’s helping Thirdy get through this ordeal and will continue to offer words of encouragement throughout the season and beyond. But his helping hand will always extend up to future members of Ateneo’s varsity squad as well. 

“I’m still supporting him. Even after my playing years in Ateneo, I’m going to be one of those guys who will be important to the team,” Kiefer said. “It’s just a learning experience from each and every one of us.” 

Kiefer did admit that Thirdy is “going to be a big loss, especially [since] a lot of people expected him to play this year,” but iterated what his younger brother said: the Blue Eagles still have what it takes to contend for a championship, despite losses from last year’s no. one seed squad. 

“We have to move on as a team and we have a goal, which is to win the championship, and we have to do it with the materials that we have – without Thirdy,” said Kiefer. 

“There are big obstacles in front of us but we’ll be ready. We’ll surprise a lot of teams.”

– Rappler.com