Ateneo triumphs over UP for UAAP S81 championship trophy

The score ended at 99-81 with Thirdy Ravena paving the way for his team providing 38 points overall, which landed him his second Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) crown. (Photo: Jim De Ramos/Facebook)

The trophy for the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 men’s basketball run was awarded to the Ateneo University (ADMU) Blue Eagles as they dominated over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons again for Game 2 of the best-of-three series that happened on Wednesday, December 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The score ended at 99-81 with Thirdy Ravena paving the way for his team providing 38 points overall, which landed him his second Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) crown, totalling an average of 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and a block per game. For their second match against the Maroons, Ravena was greatly aided by rookie Ange Kouame chipping in 22 points. Their performances resulted in the school’s 10th championship crown – this one being their second in a row. With this, the Blue Eagles also said goodbye to their only senior this year, Anton Asistio, who contributed six points in his final collegiate game.

Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin did not shy away from expressing his gratitude to his players, calling them “a marvelous team [and] a joy to work with the whole season,” in heavy emotions saying, “I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work with them.” The coach from New Zealand also shared, “It is our priority to do everything with dignity and class and long we may do this.”

Ravena also added that “he can’t explain the feeling” of reigning victorious once again for the finals, stating in Filipino, “We really gave everything. We knew that UP would not just let go,” also commending Coach Tab for inspiring them “not to let up during the game and [not to] play casually.” In Ravena’s words, “For 40 minutes, the whole team left it on all the line.”

After the game, the Ateneo de Manila University community announced that their official bonfire to celebrate another successful year is on December 14.