Every year, there are a fortunate few who are able to fly out of the country and experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train abroad.
For their title defense, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles headed to Greece for a series of tune-up games, organized by coach Tab Baldwin and the Hellenic Basketball Federation – the basketball NSA of Greece.
“We were able to go to historic places like the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Olympic Stadium and yung beaches. Actually, madaming beaches doon,” shared incoming fourth-year Blue Eagle Thirdy Ravena.
But after getting to see the beautiful scenery of Greece, the Blue Eagles figured in arguably the toughest series of games they have experienced in their young lives.
In a packed schedule, the defending UAAP Men’s Basketball Champions figured in five games in 12 days against two A2-Division squads, the Juniors Team of fabled squad Olympiakos, reigning European Champions Greece U21 National Team, and the Men’s National Team.
The Blue Eagles came out with a 3-2 record from the tour, including a thrilling 84-82 win over Greece U21. But when asked, Ravena – who knocked down the buzzer-beating game-winner – did not see that game as the most memorable one of the trip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqsMOHtJc7g
The moment that the 20-year-old will carry with him forever is their game against the Seniors’ team of Greece.
Greece absolutely schooled the Blue Eagles on all fronts, even if the scoring for that game was done per quarter. It was a great learning experience for Ravena and the Blue Eagles.
“Yun yung eye-opening experience for us. Going there, iniisip namin na confident kami on how we are as a team. Medyo malaki yung lamang kasi namin sa mga games namin before kami umalis. Nung nakalaban namin sila, parang wala kaming alam sa basketball,” shared the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball Finals MVP.
“Kumbaga na-bobo kami.
“Pinakita nila na marami pa kami puwedeng i-improve as a team. Yun yung pinaka-grateful na experience para sa akin, na madami pa kami puwedeng ayusin,” added Ravena, who was able to go up against one of his favorite European players, Charis Giannopoulos.
After experiencing what the European sstyle of play is all about, Ravena and the Blue Eagles are looking to work on perfecting this craft before the season begins.
“You think na yung Europeans hindi ganun ka-physical pero mas pisikal pa sila maglaro. Pisikal sila pero hindi sila dirty and at the same time alam nila kung ano mangyayari. Yun yung mga team na matagal ng magkakasama. Kahit anong gawin nila… Yung point guard nila san san lang binabato yung bola pero naka-ready na yung shooters nila,” recalled the second generation cager.
“Parang goals siya para sa amin – na hopefully we could be like that one day. They really think of the game. Hindi lang nila dinadaan sa physicality or skill, lahat yun iniincorporate nila sa knowledge nila for the game.”
