"Men for Others" Mentality: Ravenas, Nietos Showing the Ateneo Way amidst COVID-19

There's no denying the fact that the success of the Ateneo basketball program has produced some of today's talented stars not just in the local basketball scene but also, in the international scene. In fact, we have seen the Ateneo Blue Eagles represent the Philippines in the William Jones Cup last year where they almost made it to the podium. Then, we witnessed the first window of the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifiers last month where Gilas Pilipinas had eight past and present Ateneo players in their line-up. And of course, the Blue Eagles of Coach Tab Baldwin are gearing for a four-peat in Season 83 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). 

However, we know that Ateneo is more than just about their success on the court. They are more than just basketball. For Ateneans, it's all about being "men for others".

In lights of the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) which shut down Philippine sports indefinitely, past Ateneo stars stepped up and showed us what's being a real Atenean is all about.

For starters, the Nieto twins, Mike and Matt, two of the core members of last season's 16-0 Blue Eagles side, have been providing the "One Big Fight" in helping their fellow Filipinos in Cainta City along with their godfather and Cainta City Mayor Kit Nieto as they donated boxes of washable face masks to the municipal government. As humble as they were even during their playing years in college, the Nietos simply pointed out that they aren't the only ones helping Cainta recover from the COVID-19 disaster as they also added that there are lots of people who are helping out in their own way. In the end, "Big" Mike Nieto said that he and Matt are only doing what they can to help. And the Nietos aren't the only Ateneans who showing the "One Big Fight" against COVID-19.

Another pair of siblings, the brother tandem of Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, along with the parents and sister, Dani Ravena, have been helping out too. As a matter of fact, Kiefer and Thirdy, both champions with  Ateneo in high school and college, was seen distributing food packs that included rice and chicken courtesy of Chooks-to-Go to military men manning the checkpoints in Cainta. Their parents, Bong and Mozzy Ravena, known athletes in their respective sports, have been helping out in packing goods to be distributed along with Dani who is currently playing volleyball for the Ateneo Lady Eagles.  Alyssa Valdez- another product of the Ateneo volleyball program, has been helping out too.

While there's no end in sight yet to this COVID-19 outbreak, with these Ateneo products helping out in their own way, it proves that Ateneo's legacy goes beyond sports. As their school hymn says, "This is the Ateneo way".

Photo is from ESPN