Championship a perfect parting gift for long-time pals Ravena, Pessumal
A COUPLE of months ago, Ateneo star Kiefer Ravena posted a video on his social media account, describing it as “the shot that started it all.”
Here was a young Ravena, then playing for La Salle-Greenhills, cutting to the basket and missing what should have been a game-tying shot from point blank range in the Milo Best SBP finals in 2004. While the miss left Ravena distraught, it sent Ateneo’s players into delirium as the Eaglets escaped with a twopoint win.
It was a turning point for Ravena, learning to take responsibility for his team the hard way.
It was one of those moments that motivated him to be the player that he is now.
At the end of the clip, Von Pessumal, who was then playing for the Eaglets, threw the ball in the air in jubilation as the buzzer sounded.
The contrast of emotions between Ravena and Pessumal takes extra significance now.
It was the last time the two young stars were on opposing sides. Ravena transferred to Ateneo a year later, linking up with Pessumal.
From Ateneo’s high school team, to the Philippine youth teams until eventually finding themselves together with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the two players have been teammates for a decade now.
“I have this joke with Von that if we get drafted in the PBA, I won’t sign for that team if we’re not teammates,” said Ravena, the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player. “We’ve been team- mates for half of our lives.”
Ravena, the do-it-all guard, and Pessumal, the sweet-shooting forward, share a special bond, forged by being together in countless cage wars. Their friendship goes beyond the court, of course.
“It’s hard to describe my friendship with Von. He’s like a brother to me,” said Ravena, who recalled that he became teammates with Pessumal in the summer of 2006 in the Junior PBA tournament.
“We’re good friends and we’re very honest with each other especially when it came to basketball,” said Pessumal. “We don’t need to pretend because we’ve been friends and teammates for so long.”
When they are on the court, the combination of Ravena and Pessumal could be devastating.
“On the court, we just know where the other is,” said Pessumal, a streak shooter.
“It’s hard to discount the time together when you’ve been playing with somebody for so long. I know during the fourth quarter he wants the ball. I know the times when he wants to be a passer more than a scorer.”
Ravena also knows how to get the most out of Pessumal, who usually waits for his kick out passes at the three-point line.
“It’s an advantage for both of us whenwe play,” said Ravena.
“We just look at each other and we know what we do. I’m very happy because we grew up together and saw each other improve. I’m very happy for Von because he’s a hard worker and he’s very dedicated to his craft.”
Heading into their final season, both players know the enormity of the task of giving Ateneo its first title in three years.
“We’re going to be very different from last year because we lost two of our main starters in Nico Elorde and Chris Newsome and replaced them with eight other rookies,” said Pessumal. “I see my role getting bigger, a bit more involved on both ends of the floor.”
Pessumal said it will be all about injecting a winning mindset and work ethic as the Eagles brace for a gruelling grind in the next four months. “Every game counts,” he said.
Ravena is relishing one last crack at a UAAP crown with his buddy, Pessumal.
“We want to leave the school as champions,” he said. “Hopefully, it turns out well for us.”