Thirdy Ravena shares Finals MVP glory with teammates

The Finals Most Valuable Player award is always given as recognition to just one person, and not a group of individuals.

Yet when Thirdy Ravena won the plum at the end of the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball Finals, he was quick to share the glory.

“The reward isn’t for me, the whole team deserves this award,” said Ravena Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum after leading Ateneo to an 88-86 title-clinching win over De La Salle in the third game.

READ: Ateneo nabs UAAP title, gets back at La Salle 

“They all deserve the championship, and as for me I’m just doing my job and I’m not doing anything special. We’re all doing the same job.”

Ravena posted numbers of 16.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in the Finals series that gave Ateneo its ninth seniors basketball title, the third-most in the UAAP.

In the final game of the season, Ravena put up 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block.

And although he scored just two points in the final quarter, Ravena’s biggest play in the fourth was a marvelous kickout to the open Isaac Go who sunk the dagger three that put Ateneo up 85-80 with 24.7 seconds left.

READ: Ravena redeems self, soars high for UAAP Finals MVP award

Ravena, who left his Finals MVP trophy in the locker room, said he dedicated his award to, not only his teammates and coaches, but to everyone who helped the Blue Eagles to the championship.

“They’ve been with us in practice every single day, they’ve been with us in the journey,” said Ravena. “The student managers, even the ball boys, we all exerted the same effort.”

“I just want to congratulate my team because that award, it won’t be possible if it weren’t for all of us working together.”