Thirdy erupts as Eagles mangle gritty Tams

Adrian Wong stepped up big time when Aaron Black went down injured, firing 10 third quarter points.

By Ricky Manliguis

PASAY CITY—A new Ravena is now in harness for Ateneo.

Thirdy Ravena delivered the killer blows in crunchtime, as the Blue Eagles fought off a courageous FEU stand for a 76-71 victory in the first game of Wednesday’s UAAP Season 79 basketball action at the Mall of Asia Arena.

In the shadows of elder brother Kiefer for most of last season, Thirdy teamed up with Anton Asistio in the clutch en route to picking up its second win in three matches.

After the Tamaraws tied the ballgame at 66 on a Richard Escoto basket, Ravena scored on an undergoal stab on the 2:04 mark, before Asistio completed a three-point play to give the Katipunan squad a 71-66 cushion, 1:22 left.

The six-foot-two sophomore finished with 17 points, 10 in the first half. Adrian Wong added 13 points, with 10 coming from a searing third quarter with the Eagles building an 11-point bubble, 58-47. Jolo Mendoza made use of his nine minutes of action, scoring 10 markers.

Aaron Black played just two minutes after injuring his left foot. He will be evaluated to examine the extent of his injury. 

Wendell Comboy paced the reigning champions, which slipped to 1-2, with 20 points, while Reymar Jose and Prince Orizu combined for 32 points and 26 rebounds.

The Scores:

Ateneo 76 – Ravena 17, Wong 13, Mendoza 10, Nieto Mi 9, Ikeh 8, Asistio 7, Nieto Ma 5, Babilonia 2, Go 2, Black 2, Tolentino 1, Porter 0, Verano 0, Ildefonso 0
FEU 71 – Comboy 20, Jose 16, Orizu 16, Escoto 7, Bayquin 4, Nunag 4, Dennison 2, Holmqvist 2, Trinidad 0, Inigo 0, Arong 0, Roxas 0, Tuffin 0, Ebona 0

Quarterscores: 18-10, 37-27, 58-47, 76-71.

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