Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Thirdy Ravena nailed a triple with 9.2 seconds remaining as Ateneo stunned fierce rival La Salle, 80-78, Sunday night to stay in the quarterfinal hunt in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup.
Momentarily open at the left corner, Ravena hoisted the shot while drawing a foul on Ricci Rivero to give the Blue Eagles the lead for good, 76-74, much to the delight of the Ateneo faithful at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
“It was a big shot by Thirdy (Ravena),” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin, whose Eagles improved to 3-2 in the preseason tournament . “We don’t want to rely on big shots to win the game, but it’s good that we get one when we need it.”
The rivals’ first match since their UAAP finals meeting won by La Salle last year turned out to be a hotly contested affair with technical fouls called on players from both teams.
Earlier, San Beda maintained its unblemished record with a 75-63 drubbing of Letran in a battle of NCAA rivals, while National U leaned on JJ Alejandro’s big game to subdue St. Benilde, 104-88.
Robert Bolick fired 17 points to lead the Red Lions, who rallied from an early deficit with a strong performance in the third quarter.
With the victory, San Beda improved to 6-0, virtually clinching a place in the quarterfinals of the preseason event.
The Eagles looked like they were on their way to the victory when they took a 73-68 lead heading into the final minutes.
But La Salle responded with six straight points capped by a Ben Mbala putback for a 74-73 lead with 18.3 seconds left.
Ravena missed the bonus free throw, but teammate Matt Nieto hauled down the rebound leading to another foul for two more charities, 78-74.
Hardly looking the squad that ruled this tournament in emphatic fashion last year, La Salle fell to 4-3 as it continued to miss Kib Montalbo and Prince Rivero to injuries.
Letran absorbed its sixth loss in seven games.