Still 0-0 mentality for Ravena, Ateneo as perfect season looms

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo is on the verge of becoming the greatest team in the Final Four era in the UAAP but star forward Thirdy Ravena said it’s too early to proclaim anything.

The Blue Eagles, winners of the past two titles, are aiming to become the first team in league history to go 16-0 and they get that chance they can sweep University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball finals.

Ravena and the rest of his crew bombed the Growling Tigers 91-77 for their 15th straight win in the tournament—that mark already the most for number of wins in league history—but the two-time Finals MVP said they’d rather head to a with a blank slate instead of aiming for lofty history.

“It’s always a 0-0 mentality, that’s how we approach the game because when you say we’re 16-0 it’s like saying the season is already over and that business is done,” said Ravena in Filipino Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“For us, we’re always looking at the next game and that’s always been the most important thing for us.”

Ateneo became the second team in UAAP history to sweep the eliminations since University of the East in Season 70 but unlike the Blue Eagles, the Red Warriors failed to win a single game in the finals and lost to eventual champion De La Salle.

Ravena expects Growling Tigers, who proved their mettle by climbing for No. 4 to the finals, to give them all they have in Game 2.

“UST won’t just give this to us, we all know that,” said Ravena who had 32 points and five rebounds. “We have to make sure that we’ll do our jobs in practice.”

As for his offensive explosion, Ravena said he wants to make sure that he’ll leave Ateneo knowing full well he’s left it all for the Blue Eagles.

“I guess one of the reasons is the fact that it’s my last year,” said Ravena. “I don’t want to say at the end of the season that I didn’t give it my all.”

“I’m just laying it all on the line for my team and the community.”