When Thirdy Ravena was slapped with a one-game suspension for allegedly punching Paul Desiderio last Ocober 14, the fourth-year Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle saw his hopes of winning an individual award go down the drain. This season will mark the first time that a Ravena will not be part of the All-UAAP team.
But it was not as huge a blow for the two-time Mythical Team member, who averaged 11.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game prior to the suspension. For him, the main objective is to win another championship. Individual awards are just bonuses.
“Para sa akin naman kung nandun siya, eh ‘di nandun siya. Kung wala, I can’t do anything about it,” shared Ravena, after posting 10 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal during his return against the University of the East Red Warriors.
“Instead of dwelling on what’s negative, I turn that energy into how I can help my team better, how I can make my teammates look good inside the court. So right now, mas okay nga yun kasi parang ang iniisip ko lang kung baga kung ano yung maitutulong ko sa team.”
Moreover, he is not seeing that as something that he lost. For the second generation cager, the only thing he lost due to the suspension was the 40 minutes he would have spent with his teammates last Saturday.
“To be honest, ang nawala lang naman sa akin yung forty minutes na paglalaro against FEU eh.
“Lahat ng training nandun naman ako lahat, never naman ako nag-absent so parang ganun nga. Kung baga, ‘di lang ako pinalaro for one game. That’s how I take it, I always take things positively. Of course, right now, I’m really happy to be back,” he shared.
Though this ordeal was a little disappointing, it also brought something positive, as he was able to see who will stick with him when he is down.
“Well, let’s just put it this way na dun sa suspension ang dami kong nakita na ang dami pa lang nagmamahal sa akin, ang daming sumusuporta sa akin,” he expressed.
“And I really don’t dwell on the negative kasi marami namang sinasabi tungkol sa suspension pero ang iniisip ko lang, naku ang dami talagang… I have a lot of people who have my back and the best thing I could do is to play my best for them.“
