RAVENA BOOSTS ATENEO SECURE 2ND SPOT, LIFTS BLUE EAGLES OVER FALCONS
By Maxine Louise Lagman
16 November 2016
WITH a crucial game to win, Ateneo Blue Eagles veteran Thirdy Ravena stepped up his game to help his teammates seal the win in their last game in the eliminations round of the UAAP basketball season against the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 73-67 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ateneo had a slow start in the match, but was still able to pull away from Adamson in the final minutes of the game. The Blue Eagles took control after a 10-2 run in the fourth quarter that put them in a 62-55 lead.
Two minutes left, Ravena scored a tip-in that placed them into an even more comfortable lead, 68-59 and continued to score ahead of the Falcons from there.
Ravena had a double-double 14 points and 13 rebounds. He added five assists, which four of it was all in the last quarter and two from those he gave to teammate Isaac Go that sealed their win. Mike Nieto added 12 points and eight rebounds while Go had nine points and eight rebounds.
After six straight victories, Ateneo secured their place in the second seed and a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. They had 10-4 win-loss record in the eliminations round behind number one seed, La Salle (13-1).
They will then face rival Far Eastern University (9-5) in the Final Four round slated next week. Adamson on the other hand, dropped their record to 8-6, last in the Final Four and they will face DLSU in the Final Four round as well.
Big man Papi Sarr led the Soaring Falcons with double-double 17 points and 23 rebounds. While JD Tungcab showcased his best game in the season with 16 points.
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