ATENEO skipper Thirdy Ravena practiced his free-throw shooting before the game, shooting only 25 out of 100 attempts.
But the 6’2” Ravena saw his efforts paying off later in the day, converting a total of five out of seven freebies, including three of four attempts in the final minute to lead the Eagles to a 76-71 beating of the defending champion Far Eastern University Tamaraws Wednesday in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“This is the first time I’m shooting free throws (in a game). It’s a good start,” said Ravena after the Blue Eagles bounced back from their 60-70 loss to National University in their third game for the season.
Ravena banged in a game-high 17 points for the Blue Eagles, who posted their second triumph in three matches, keeping them in second spot.
The Tams, led by Wendel Comboy with 20 points, slumped to their second straight loss against a win.
Meanwhile, Ben Mbala struck with 18 points and had 16 rebounds for La Salle, which demolished University of Santo Tomas, 100-62, to post what could probably be the season’s biggest blowout win, the Archers’ third straight.
Mbala unloaded 10 points in the third as the Green Archers took a commanding 41-point advantage, and a 73-49 edge at the end of period.
They then took control of the second with their biggest lead of 13 after Chibueze Ikeh connected with his three-point play, 23-10.
The Tams, with Prince Orizu and Reymar Jose taking charge underneath, out-rebounded the Eagles, as they fought their way to within three, 69-72, off Orizu’s charity.
But Ravena’s two charity shots in the last 29.4 seconds kept them ahead, 74-69.
“We were up against a good rebounding team. But we’re also a good defensive team. And they forced us to a couple of turnovers. So we tried to make sure that they won’t out-rebound us, but they still did. So, we played hard to get those rebounds,” said Blue Eagles coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
FEU capped a comeback from 15 points down in the fourth quarter with a triple from Joseph Nunag, 64-66, with 2:53 to go.
Games Saturday
(Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. UST vs NU
4 p.m. Ateneo vs Adamson