Ravena’s late three lifts Ateneo past La Salle
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Thirdy Ravena drained the huge go-ahead three from the left corner with 9.2 seconds to spare and Ateneo escaped with the thrilling 80-78 victory over La Salle in the 2017 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Though the lengthy forward was unable to complete the four-point play, Matt Nieto secured the offensive board and drilled the insurance freebies with 7.1 ticks left as the Blue Eagles downed the famed Green Archers for their third win in five games.
Ravena 3 and a foul! #Filoil2017 pic.twitter.com/0dDcdtFeSX
— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) June 11, 2017
“Good contributions from all over the team. It was a big shot by Thirdy,” said coach Tab Baldwin. “We don’t want to rely too much on big shots to win the game, but it’s good that we get one when we need it.”
Ravena finished the game with nine points, none bigger that his lone three of the game, to go with five rebounds, and two blocks.
Anton Asistio heated up for Ateneo as he went 4-of-5 threes to wound up with 13 markers.
Mike Nieto missed out on a double-double with his 10 points and eight boards, Raffy Verano also got nine points, three assists, and two boards, and Jawuan White had nine markers and two rebounds in the win.
It was a nip-and-tuck battle between the fierce foes, with the Blue Eagles losing grip of a 73-68 lead with 2:31 left to play.
Ben Mbala willed La Salle back in the game and even put the green side ahead, 74-73 with a huge putback off Ricci Rivero’s fastbreak miss in the final 18.7 seconds. But the Green Archers had no answer for the flawless free throw shooting from the Blue Eagles as they fell to a 4-3 record in the preseason tourney.
The Cameroonian big man paced La Salle with 23 points and nine rebounds, while Aljun Melecio got 20 markers and five boards in the loss.
The Scores:
ATENEO 80 – Asistio 13, Mi. Nieto 10, Verano 10, Ravena 9, White 9, Black 6, Tio 5, Ikeh 5, Go 4, Mendoza 4, Ma. Nieto 2, Porter 2, Tolentino 1.
LA SALLE 78 – Mbala 23, Melecio 20, Rivero 8, Santillan 7, Gonzales 7, Baltazar 6, Caracut 5, Tratter 1, Tero 1.
Quarters: 22-18, 36-33, 53-51, 80-78.
