PRESEASON talk about Ateneo focused on its new-look squad, but a very familiar face has the Blue Eagles 2 and 0.
Brandishing an improved long-range shooting, Ateneo main man Ravena fired 14 of his career-high 29 points in the payoff period as the Blue Eagles downed reigning titlist La Salle before a crowd of 17,344 at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Eagles won their second straight, while handing the titleholders their second defeat in as many matches.
With this remarkable performance, Ravena was named the UAAP Press Corps-Accel Quantum Plus/316 Player of the Week.
Ravena dropped four triples in the payoff period as Ateneo, which trailed by nine points in the early goings, made it 85-71, with 2:09 remaining.
The fourth-year star went 5-of-7 beyond the arc and also had five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 29 minutes of play.
“It was one summer of really working hard. It also pays off na nasa kondisyon ka,” said Ravena, who missed a couple of games early last season due to injury.
“It's a good win definitely. We really stepped up," said Ravena. "Natalo namin ang defending champions but that does not say anything. It's not that times two yung panalo kapag tinalo mo ang defending champion. It's still 2-0.”
Ravena, who had 22 points in Ateneo's season-opening 79-57 win over Adamson on July 13, bested Roi Sumang of University of the East and Gelo Alolino of National University for the weekly plum backed by Bactigel hand sanitizer, Doctor J alcohol and Mighty Mom anti-bacteria.
Ravena, a former Rookie of the Year awardee, is averaging 25.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.5 steals per game.