Thirdy Ravena: Ateneo exceeded expectations in 1st round

Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena dribbles against La Salle’s Ricci Rivero during their game in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, at Mall of Asia Arena. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Thirdy Ravena remained upbeat despite Ateneo’s humiliating loss to fierce rival La Salle Sunday.

Ravena kept his head high, thinking of the overall picture that the Blue Eagles still finished first round with a winning record.

READ: La Salle completes 1st round sweep, pounds rival Ateneo

“I don’t think they expected a 4-3 record from us. I’m actually pretty okay with our result,” Ravena said. “It’s not a good way to finish the first round, but it’s pretty good. It’s okay.”

Ateneo fell by the wayside in the second quarter, as La Salle exploded for 33 points in the frame en route to the blowout.

Ravena could attest that everything went wrong for the Blue Eagles in that period after earlier establishing a 25-20 advantage.

“We prepared for them by trying not to give them offensive rebounds and turning the ball over because that’s where they get most of their points, but instead, kung ano yung tinrabaho namin, yun din yung hindi namin nagawa,” he said. “Parang medyo nakaka-frustrate lang. Wala eh, it happens.”

Ateneo committed 30 turnovers, 16 of which were off steals that La Salle easily converted to 33 turnover points.

Ravena hopes this defeat would serve as an eyeopener for the team.

“Right now, we have to work on our passing kasi yun ang pwede naming i-eliminate, the same way with yung bad decisions namin sa press nila,” he said.

The 19-year-old swingman said Ateneo has to move forward from the loss as he and the team seeks to fare better in the second round.

“It’s done, it’s history. Importante lang ngayon, we work on our weaknesses in this game and come back stronger sa second round kasi we have one more try,” he said.