Osaka spoils Thirdy Ravena’s home debut

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Filipino basketball sensation Thirdy Ravena played his heart out but was not enough to deliver his team the victory against Osaka Evessa, 85-84, in one of the most thrilling games in the Japan B. League.

Despite falling in front of their fans, Ravena still got their respect after spearheading the NeoPhoenix run to erase the 13-point deficit and helped his team get back in the ball game.

Ravena’s defensive tenacity and energy was contagious and sparked his teammates to an emphatic 15-3 run in the fourth quarter that saw a large deficit get even at 69 with 6:32 remaining.

The former Ateneo King Eagle bolstered San-En with 18 huge points on 3 out of 5 shooting from downtown, five rebounds, and three crucial steals that San-En converted into easy points.

Takuya Hashimoto delivered in the clutch for Evessa after cruising past Ravena and Stevan Jelovac with 3.9 seconds left.

NeoPhoenix still had a chance to win in front of their fans but center Atsuya Ota wasted the inbounds pass and Osaka just milked the clock away for a road victory.

Ravena’s first home game featured his third overall game in the B. league and is currently sitting at a 1-2 win-loss record since his arrival.