THIRDY Ravena emerged from a two-game slump with a career-high double-double as he led the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a 79-64 smothering of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Wearing a white headband that covered bandages protecting a stitched head wound he sustained when the Blue Eagles beat the University of the East Warriors the last time around, Ravena played with intensity and eked out 22 points and 10 rebounds.
“It was a good game. We executed in the end,” said the 22-year-old Ravena after the Blue Eagles went on to post their fourth win in six games in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
Ravena, who was hurt in a collision with UE Warrior Paul Varilla the previous game, made eight points to help carry the Blue Eagles to a nine-point, 38-29, cushion at halftime.
The 6-foot Ravena, who got the headband as a souvenir from Adamson cager Jerrick Ahanmisi after the Blue Eagles took a 61-62 loss two weeks ago to the Soaring Falcons, also had eight in the fourth period.
The Blue Eagles moved in second spot behind the Archers.
The encounter served as a run-up to the Blue Eagles’ coming showdown with the Green Archers on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Kib Montalbo scored two free throws in the last 4.7 seconds to help pull the La Salle Green Archers to an 84-78 stopping of the rallying University of the East Warriors, giving them their sixth straight triumph in the solo lead.
The Green Archers played with Louie Gonzales calling the shots in the second half after mentor Aldin Ayo was thrown in the last 1:12 of the first half.
La Salle, with Ben Mbala leading with 19 points, was ahead, 40-28, when Ayo lost his cool over a non-call on Thomas Torres in a play with UE’s Philip Manalang. Ayo took assistant coach Glenn Capacio’s eyeglasses and waved it at one of the referees.
Games Saturday
(MOA Arena)
2 p.m. NU vs UP
4 p.m. UST vs FEU