Fresh from an all-out war against arch-rivals De La Salle University Green Archers in Game Two of the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball Finals, Thirdy Ravena faced members of media with a busted lip and several scratches around his neck and arms.
Clearly, Game Two had been another physical encounter.
“[The physicality] is part of the game. I really don’t care if I get hit, I’ll take that,” the 20-year-old recalled.
“I’ll just do whatever it takes for us to win.”
Earlier, he was also involved in an altercation with La Salle team captain Kib Montalbo in the dying seconds of the first half.
“[Kib] was just trying to get in our heads just like what they did to Jerrick [Ahanmisi] against Adamson but we’re prepared for that,” he said, adding that he had just wanted to show that he will not back down from whatever the Green Archers throw their way.
“It doesn’t really matter.”
The UAAP Season 80 Mythical Five member powered through and attacked every opportunity posting 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists. However, he and the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles still failed to end the finals series, 83-92.
Taking advantage of the Green Archers’ sluggish start, Ateneo enjoyed a lead as high as 21 points in the second quarter. However, La Salle livened up through coach Aldin Ayo’s brilliant plays, and employed a tighter defense.
The Blue Eagles’ commanding lead dwindled little by little, and was stolen completely in the third quarter courtesy of a Ben Mbala layup, 60-58, with 2:11 left. While the rally continued, Ateneo faltered.
Still, the third-year Blue Eagle believes that their characters improved by the end of this game.
“I guess it’s a real lesson for us na it’s not over until it’s over,” he said. “We had a twenty-point lead but we got complacent in the second half lalo na noong humabol sila.
“I feel like we weren’t tough enough to take that situation but you know that happens.”
The eagle may be wounded after this game, but he made sure that his focus is fixed on Sunday’s do-or-die match.
“We just got to play tough on Game Three and I’m ready for it, we’re all ready for it.”
