THIRDY RAVENA put on a show as the Blue Eagles defeated a loaded Gilas Cadets squad bannered by Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero in their opening game of the FilOil Preseason Cup on Saturday, April 21 at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
Thirdy Ravena led the way for Ateneo with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Adrian Wong was a spark off the bench, chipping in 13 markers on 3/6 shooting from deep, while Mike Nieto added ten points for the winning side.
Ricci Rivero top scored for the Gilas Cadets with 17 points but struggled greatly playing the point guard position, as the former Green Archer turned the ball over seven times. Kobe Paras contributed 13 markers while reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Rookie of the Year Juan Gomez de Liano pitched in 11 points along with three triples off the bench.
The first quarter was a seesaw battle between both squads, but ultimately Ateneo’s rebounding advantage was the game-changer, granting them extra possessions to fuel a one-point lead after the first period (17-16)
The second frame was a low scoring affair, with the Blue Eagles unable to get much offensive rhythm to catch fire from the perimeter. With Gilas struggling with turnovers due to a lack of chemistry, Ateneo enjoyed a slim (29-27) advantage heading into the break.
Paras opened the second half with back to back threes, but Wong and Isaac Go returned fire with their own triples to extend the lead to six, the biggest at that point. The Blue Eagles upped the aggressiveness, drawing numerous fouls to keep in step with a barrage of Gilas baskets. Incoming rookie SJ Belangel and Gomez de Liano traded triples to end the third period at (53-48).
A huge dunk from Ravena sparked an 11-0 run for Ateneo, capped by an easy layup from Mike Nieto to hand the Blue Eagles their biggest lead of the game (69-54).
LOOK: Thirdy Ravena gets a steal from Ricci Rivero and slams it home!!!#FilOil2018 pic.twitter.com/jkMOCdpjSX
— Gerrick C. Limsiy (@Rick_TheGUIDON) April 21, 2018
Gomez de Liano trimmed the lead with an 8-0 solo run featuring an acrobatic layup and back to back triples, but a Jawuan White bucket from downtown sealed the win for the Blue and White (75-69).
The Blue Eagles will next face the San Beda University Red Lions on Friday, April 27, at 4:30pm in the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Quarter Scores
Ateneo-Gilas: 17-16, 29-27, 53-48, 75-69
Box Score
Ateneo (75): Ravena – 16, Wong – 13, Mi. Nieto – 10, Ma. Nieto – 9, Go – 7, Kouame – 5, White – 5, Belangel – 4, Maagdenberg – 3, Asistio – 2, Navarro – 1, Mamuyac – 0, Credo – 0
Gilas (69): R. Rivero – 17, Paras – 13, Gomez de Liano – 11, Tratter – 8, Ambohot – 5, Gozum – 4, A. Tolentino – 3, Tuffin – 3, V. Tolentino – 3, P. Rivero – 2, Desiderio – 0, Mocon – 0
