Thirdy Ravena and Hesed Gabo definitely made their mark in the 2019 PBA D-League season as they manned the ships of their respective squads and steered them towards championship glory.
And so they will be recognized by the PBA Press Corps as the D-League Finals MVPs once the esteemed group finds a date for its annual Awards Night set at Novotel Manila in Araneta City, Cubao.
This marks the second straight time that the PBAPC will give the said honors. Current Columbian Dyip guard CJ Perez and ex-pro Gab Banal were the first winners of the plum in 2019.
Ravena was on the forefront of Cignal-Ateneo’s championship success in the First Conference, where they beat an undermanned yet gutsy Centro Escolar University in four games for the gold.
He uncorked 15 points, four rebounds, four steals, and two steals in the title clincher that gave the Blue Eagles their first title in the developmental ranks in just their first foray.
The second-generation cager averaged 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals in the Finals.
Gabo, on the other hand, only normed 7.0 points in BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare’s duel with Marinerong Pilipino for Foundation Cup supremacy but he delivered in the deciding Game Three.
The former Mapua Cardinals guard rose to the occasion and produced 12 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in a solid performance that saw him hit key shots down the stretch.
It was Gabo who sank the go-ahead three-pointer with 3:21 remaining in the game that gave his side a 59-57 lead, and the Saints went on to defeat the veteran-laden Skippers, 63-60.
The PBAPC has yet to determine a date for its Awards Night as it suspended such last March 13 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. It was supposed to be held last March 16.
