Thirdy Ravena caved in to the weight of his first Finals
Early Wednesday afternoon, Thirdy Ravena was selected to the all-UAAP team — the cream of the crop of the league. Just like the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, a team no one expected to be in the finals, his growth throughout the season was gradual. And no one can deny that his energy is what led the young Blue Eagles to the Finals.
However, the biggest of stars show up when their light is at its brightest. The Finals were the biggest test the third-year Atenean, second-year Blue Eagle have faced in his young career.
Four days prior to Game Two, Ravena had committed two costly late-game errors that led to Ateneo’s 65-67 loss. Though 20 years of age — ripe for the collegiate game — his in-game mileage has yet to reach the same level as the battle-tested Green Archers. And the same goes for the rest of the Blue Eagles roster.
His struggles continued in Game Two, in which he shot blanks (0-for-10 from the field, 3-for-6 from the stripe). The Mythical Five team member admitted that the crowd, the rivalry, and the game itself got the best of him.
“Parang shock ako sa game,” lamented Ravena, who posted norms of 9.6 points and 7.4 rebounds this season.
“I was kind of pressured and I admit na kasalanan ko naman na na-pressure ako.”
During his first year with Ateneo, Ravena had played sparingly under former head coach Bo Perasol, averaging just 7.2 minutes per contest. His minutes dwindled during the UAAP Season 77 playoffs, playing just three minutes and 10 seconds in their two-game semifinals series against the National University Bulldogs. A year later, he was declared ineligible.
“This is the biggest platform I ever played at napunta sa utak ko [yun],” he furthered. “Na-affect yung game ko.”
“It’s not an excuse not to play but sayang at hindi ako masyadong naka-deliver.”
But a loss like this has its positives. It is an experience that can make the Ateneo lifer stronger and more ready for his final three years in Loyola Heights. And with the team’s core intact, this unexpected finals will serve its purpose, according to Ravena.
“People counted us out [in the pre-season]. We just fought through everything that’s in front of us
“We fell short this time but it’s a good experience for us,” he shared.
As they say, experience is the best teacher. Especially for the young Eagles.
