Thirdy Ravena plays best game yet but NeoPhoenix loses at home

Thirdy Ravena for SanEn NeoPhoenix. PHOTO FROM NEOPHOENIX WEBSITE

MANILA, Philippines — Thirdy Ravena had his best game yet in the Japanese B.League but it wasn’t enough as the Filipino basketball star suffered a heartbreaking loss in his home debut for San-en NeoPhoenix.

Ravena scored 18 points, his highest scoring output so far in the tournament, in an 85-84 loss by San-en to Osaka Evessa Wednesday night at Toyohashi City General Gymnasium.

Takuya Hashimoto played hero for Osaka, scoring on a drive to win the game with 3.9 seconds left that capped off a 23-point outing.

NeoPhoenix still had a chance to steal the game but Atsuya Ota threw an errant inbound pass as he failed to recognize Ravena, who was open for the lob.

San-en took its second straight loss and dropped to 2-10.

The 23-year-old Ravena, who vowed to come back stronger next game, is averaging 14.3 points since playing his first game on Saturday where he impressed with 13 points to help San-en edge Shimane Susanoo, 83-82.

He had 12 points and eight rebounds less than 24 hours later in a loss as Shimane bounced back to beat San-en, 81-74.

San-en plays another set of back-to-backs this time against Alvark Tokyo beginning Saturday at Arena Tachikawa Tachihi.