Behind Kiefer Ravena and Jason Perkins, Team A-2 emerged triumphant in the 2017 PBA Draft Combine Finals as they thwarted Jeron Teng and Team B-3, 83-72, Tuesday afternoon at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City.
“Siguro ako lumabas lang talaga yung pagka-competitive, ayoko talaga magpatalo,” said Ravena. “Kahit yung mga maliliit na competitions na ganito, sinimulan ko ng combine, yung sa mga skills. Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na dalawang araw lang ‘to.”
The wide-bodied Perkins led the winning side with 20 points, while Ravena, who focused more on being the team’s floor general, finished with 12 markers.
The 23-year-old Ravena was named as the event’s Most Valuable Player.
“Tinuruan ako ng parents ko to give it all that you’ve got, whether combine lang ‘to na this may not be a gauge, whether sinasabi nila na shoo-in ka na sa draft,” said the 6-foot combo guard, “But again everybody has a fair chance of making it to the PBA and I wanted to grab that opportunity of making myself the best player here in the combine.”
A-2 went off to a good start, 28-18, in the opening period, but B-3 rallied strong in the next frame and cut the deficit to just three, 42-39. From that point on, Teng and B-3 gave A-2 a tough challenge all through out the match.
A-2, however, was just too much to handle. Back-to-back triples courtesy of Chris De Chavez and Robbie Herndon in the 1:51 and 49.2-second mark, respectively, gave them an 81-67 lead — enough to put B-3 away for good.
Herndon had 18 markers, while Lervin Flores chipped in 13 for A-2.
Teng top-billed for B-3 with 23 points. Ervin Grospe from Jose Rizal University backed him up with 18 points, scoring 10 in the second frame. San Beda College product Dan Sara produced 12 points, all coming from beyond the arc.
In the battle for third place earlier, Team A-1, comprised of Jett Manuel and Raymar Jose; Dave Moralde, Gab Dagangon, JK Casiño, and Felix Apreku, won over Team B-2 narrowly, 59-55.
Dagangon led A-1 with 20 points. Manuel contributed 13 markers, while Jose scored 12. Team B-2, on the other hand, were paced by University of the East’s Renz Palma with 14 points, and Louie Vigil gave 12 markers.
This year’s Draft Combine also had a Mythical Five selection, which is composed of Ravena, Teng, Perkins, Herndon, and Jose.
The 2017 PBA Rooke Draft will be held this Sunday, October 29, at Robinson’s Place Manila.
The Scores:
Championship Match:
A-2 (83) – Perkins 20, Herndon 18, De Chavez 17, Flores 13, Ravena 12, Geronimo 0, Cabahug 0.
B-3 (72) – Teng 23, Grospe 18, Sara 10, Neypes 8, Abrigo 7, Nicholls 0.
Battle for Third:
A-1 (59) – Dagangon 20, Manuel 13, Jose 12, Casiño 7, Moralde 5, Apreku 2.
B-2 (55) – Palma 14, Torres 14, Vigil 12, Gabriel 7, Baltazar 5, Sumido 3, Sargent 0.
