MANILA – Ilonggo cager Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III was among the recipients of the Ateneo de Manila University’s GUIDON-Moro Lorenzo award.
Ravena became the first baller to be hailed as Sportsman of the Year after Bacolodnon center Siverino “Nonoy” Baclao copped the award in 2010 with judoka JR Reyes.
The 23-year-old Ilonggo’s 2019 was impressive as he was named part of the national basketball team for 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Ravena then ended his collegiate career by steering the Blue Eagles to an immaculate 16-0 sweep in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Ilonggo also became the first-ever three-time Finals Most Valuable Player awardee in the league’s basketball competition.
Other nominees for the Sportsman of the Year award were reigning two-time UAAP backstroke king Aki Cariño and UAAP Men’s Fencing Foil Individual event gold medalist Jaime Viceo.
Hailed as Sportswoman of the Year, meanwhile, was swimmer Chloe Daos, who was also named as this year’s Ambrosio Padilla Athlete of the Year.
Daos continued her dominant run in the UAAP pool by winning all seven of her events during the four-day meet last October. She now has 21 gold medals.
The GUIDON-Moro Lorenzo and Ambrosio Padilla Athletes of the Year crownings are part of the Loyola Schools Awards for Leadership and Service./PN
