After Game 2 meltdown, Blue Eagles need ‘laser focus’ in do-or-die

Thirdy Ravena. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

After squandering what could’ve been a title-clinching win, Ateneo now has no other choice but to face defending champion De La Salle in a do-or-die Game 3 in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball finals.

And Thirdy Ravena knows they can’t miss a beat.

“We have to stay laser-focused on the third game, we have to be aware that that’s going to happen and we have to be prepared for that situation when that comes in,” said Ravena Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

What Ravena was talking about was the Blue Eagles’ wasted 21-point lead against the Green Archers in Game 2, wherein an Ateneo win could’ve draped the trophy in blue-and-white ribbons.

Ateneo held a 45-24 lead in the second quarter after Ravena made two free throws, but the Green Archers mounted a 40-10 run that spanned the two middle periods to take a 68-59 lead heading into the fourth.

The Blue Eagles never recovered as the Green Archers tied the series at 1-1 after a 92-83 win with the decider scheduled on Sunday.

“I think we didn’t take that situation [blowing the 21-point lead] well,” said Ravena who had 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists. “We have to realize that when they make those runs we have to play at the same level or even higher. We can’t just keep on doing what we’re doing with La Salle making that run.”

“It was a real lesson for us that it’s not over until it’s over, we had a 20-point lead but we got complacent. And when they starting catching up we weren’t tough enough to take on that situation.”