Thirdy Ravena promised there would be a better Ateneo team in the title round of the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament after losing in the Finals the year before.
Ateneo faltered against La Salle in their return to the Finals in the Season 79, absorbing a sweep against the dominant Green Archers.
“Hopefully we learned from our mistakes last year,” said Ravena. “We have to more composed this year because La Salle is not going to play us any softer.”
What made things more painful for Ravena last year was he practically disappeared in Game 2, missing all of his 10 shots to finish with just three points and seven rebounds.
But Ravena assured that sorry version of him won’t be making an appearance this time around.
“Hopefully that won’t happen this year,” said Ravena, who finished second in MVP voting behind back-to-back winner Ben Mbala this season.
Ravena added there’s pressure on the team to bounce back especially after taking the top seed in the elimination before losing to La Salle in their final game.
“Sometimes you’ll think what if we lost again, we’ve done so much this season just to lose again,” said Ravena. “So we have to learn that we should be composed when we go into the Finals.”