Starter or not, Ravena makes same impact for Blue Eagles

Ateneo’s match-ups against De La Salle are usually a cause for both teams to bring forward its best cards from the opening bell, yet the Blue Eagles decided to pull off one trick up their sleeves.

The Blue Eagles had a chance of clinching a twice-to-beat advantage prior to their second game against the Green Archers in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament, and head coach Tab Baldwin decided that his superstar Thirdy Ravena would come off the bench in a surprise coaching move.

This was Ravena’s first game of this season that he came in as a substitute but Baldwin’s move worked its magic as the defending champions swept their season series against last year’s runners-up with a 71-62 win Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“There was nothing different for me because coach Tab knows what he has to do to prepare a player,” said Ravena.”I just have to be ready to all the instances that may happen and it means I’ll be coming of the bench so be it.”

Ravena actually led the Blue Eagles’ offense with 14 points while grabbing 14 rebounds and swatting away two shots.

He also had to play deeper into the lane after big men Angelo Kouame, Raffy Verano, and Isaac Go got into foul trouble during the first half.

“We lost our bigs early in the game but it’s all about the team mentality of ‘next man up,’” said Ravena.

And even though he didn’t start the game, Ravena had his imprint in the finish.

Ravena capped off the Blue Eagles’ 11-2 run with a booming three-pointer that gave them a 71-58 buffer with 2:06 left in the game.

And that scoring spurt ultimately doomed the Green Archers, who fell to an 8-5 record while they watched the Blue Eagles capture the twice-to-beat advantage with a league-leading 11-2 record.

“As a veteran I know I have to produce for the team and it’s also a challenge as a player of Ateneo,” said Ravena. “And what made us successful was our mantra of doing it for our teammates.”