BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
12 noon – NU vs UST (women’s)
2:30 p.m. – Presentation of Individual Awards
4 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (men’s)
THIRDY Ravena and the rest of the Ateneo Eagles are out to complete their flight the way they took off – fast and furious.
Looking every inch a champion, the Eagles hope to notch win No. 16 as they battle the University of Santo Tomas Tigers in Game 2 of their UAAP Finals on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The defining moment starts at 4 p.m. with the Katipunan-based squad out to cement their place in league history.
So they are hoping this year’s coronation will be much sweeter since they will be raising the championship trophy – for the third time – without dropping a game.
If the stars align then the Eagles would become the third school after Far Eastern University and UST to do the trick in years.
The Tamaraws did it in 1980 and 1981 by winning all 12 games while the Tigers clinched the crown after sweeping their 14 matches in 1993.
While so much is at stake in the game, Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin sees it differently.
“We just want to be 1-0 from here,” he said after the Eagles dominated Game 1 91-77 on Saturday.
“Believe me, we just want to play this game (on Wednesday) well, play it really well. Win the game and whatever comes with that, comes with that. We don’t want our focus on anything else, especially any talk about records or anything like that.”
While momentum is on Ateneo’s side, Baldwin still thinks it’s a must-win game for them.
“They (UST) don’t quit, they don’t ever back down, so we need to have the attitude that it is a must-win game,” he said.
Ravena is slated to anchor the Eagles in what probably be his last game in his collegiate career after a season-high 32 points on a 14-of-18 shooting in Game 1.
For UST coach Aldin Ayo, it is not only about stopping Ravena in order to extend the series.
“It’s not only about Thirdy eh. If we want to stop them, we’ll have to stop the whole team,” he said.
Ayo admitted they played poorly last Saturday, but took blame on the defeat.
“I think the problem is coaching staff, we were not able to prepare the players well. But I told the players that we have to handle the loss right away and go back to our main goal ulit,” he said.
UST is expected to execute a fast-paced game that include torching the three-point line after draining 14 triples the last time.
Expected to lead the Tigers are Season MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo and Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy, who combined for 39 points in Game 1.
Game 3, if necessary, will be on Saturday at the same venue.
